HIV/AIDS related stigma and discrimination working with people living with AIDS (PLWAS) in fighting stigma and discrimation experience of Kenya.
Int Conf AIDS 2004 Jul 11-16; 15:(abstract no. D10036)
Thagana SG Majengo Mwinyitia Youth Group, Nyeri, Kenya
ISSUE: Stigma is described as an attitude of depravation of satisfaction of fundamental bodily or personality needs. The main aim is to marginalize those who are infected and affected. Its undermining intervention to combat HIV/AIDS and make it impossible to have behavioural change, seek support and care, employment, love etc. Kenya is having 2.5 million PLWAS. SETTINGS: Mobilization of humanity to assist the most vulnerable in Kenya sought to work with PLWAS and other organizations to fight stigma and discrimination related with HIV/AIDS. PROJECT: Future group Europe formed awareness group which involves voluntary counseling and testing (VCT) which supported the infected and the affected. PLWAS alliance group was formed to lobby for their rights like right to medicine, insurance cover, job, love, care and right against discrimination and stigmatization. Lobby groups were formed together with those that work with plwas like Network of Community Based Organizations in Central Province (NCCP). Work place policies advocating for employment of plwas were enacted in parliament to work with other peoples and meaningful work lives. RESULTS: Increased VCT in rural communities Courage was garnered to declare/disclose zero status. Increased support designed to help plwas like giving 6,000 PLWAS antrivirus (ARVs) Increase in group dealing with care giving. LESSONS: Important of mobilization and partnership of plwas in fighting HIV/AIDS. Production of I. E. C.s material for PLWAS. Importance of advocacy of PLWAS. Stigmatization and discrimination was reduced. Access to ARVs was increased.
CONCLUSION: This paper tries to show how moral courage can encourage PLWAS seek support and care and the affected ones succumb HIV/AIDS.
Keywords: AEGIS, Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome, HIV Seropositivity, HIV Infections, Kenya, Human Rights, Work, Organizations, Health Services Needs and Demand, Stereotyping, Counseling, Social Support, Health Services, Discrimination (Psychology), Europe, economics, organization & administration
