Socio-cultural constriants for HIV/AIDS patients

Pages: 1183-1188
Anwaar Mohyuddin and Haris Sultan (Department of Anthropology, Quaid-i-Azam University, Islamabad, Pakistan)

This Anthropological Research investigated the stigmatization and discrimination of HIV/AIDS Patients which they experienced by their family, relatives, Friends and coworkers. However the narratives and case studies related to stigmatization and discrimination from the point of view of HIV/AIDS patients and views of health care workers were also examined and analyzed. The qualitative anthropological research methodology was used for this research.A sample of 38 people living with HIV/AIDS in Rawalpindi and health care providers was chosen. The empirical data were collected through in-depth interviews and case studies. The purpose of the case studies was to elaborate the rejection and blame done by the closed ones with the innocent patients with HIV/AIDS.Discriminatory acts included the blame of being infected with HIV, rejection, and loss of respect, loss of support, loss of job and labeling of the people living with HIV/AIDS. These conditions also have the psychological effects on HIV/AIDS patients and these discriminatory acts can have bad effects on their treatment.The attachment of this disease with sexual content is the major reason of discrimination. Generally, the trends show that stigmatization prevails more in our society by different groups and very less support and care is shown towards People living with HIV/AIDS. Awareness regarding this disease is very necessary which may minimize this stigmatization. Furthermore, there was also a fact that to some extent by the propercounseling of the patients and their family by the healthcare providers reduced the threats of stigmatization and discrimination.