Intor-4
Intor-4
Intor-4
Wilber Marmol
ENG 1302
11/09/2024
Abstract Paragraph:
This research paper investigates the lingering social stigma of HIV and its effect on the
mental, physical, and social wellbeing of HIV patients. The paper discusses, through a critical
literature review, how HIV-related stigma, anchored on cultural prejudices, misinformation, and
historical fallacies, reinforces poor mental health manifestations such as anxiety and depression,
while discouraging people from seeking medical help. The stigma not only adds to poor access to
healthcare, leading to late diagnosis and treatment of health conditions, but it also contributes to
the social isolation of people, therefore harming their social network in that it takes away their
ability to maintain relationships and a sense of community. This further gets compounded around
healthcare, with patients remaining apprehensive about any judgment on the part of medical
professionals, thus missing out on essential treatments like ART. This study promotes education
for health care providers, public health campaigns, and media efforts to change societal attitudes
to more compassionate and knowledgeable views towards HIV. Such policies will improve not
only the quality of life for people living with HIV but also their health outcomes.
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Research Paper:
The widespread social stigma associated with HIV diagnosis can have a significant
negative influence on its carriers’ health in addition to the medical outcomes. HIV stigma
frequently results in serious mental health issues, with people dealing with higher rates of
anxiety and despair as due to social criticism. Furthermore, this stigma may deter people from
getting the care they need because many choose not to seek therapy at all out of fear of prejudice
or rejection from medical professionals. In the end, the social effects of receiving an HIV
diagnosis can cause people to become isolated from their support systems, which makes it
difficult for them to keep up relationships and a feeling of community. Because of this, people
with HIV frequently deal with additional challenges in their daily lives, which can impact their
physical and mental well-being as well as their capacity to sustain social relationships. These
factors highlight how difficult it is to deal with the stigma and discrimination that still exist,
Negative thoughts that society has about people living with HIV are referred to as HIV-
related stigma. This stigma is very widespread: “A study published in The Lancet HIV in 2019
found that 50% of people living with HIV reported experiencing stigma in their communities,
especially in lower-income countries where knowledge about HIV transmission is often limited
(Emlet,n.page).” This negative stigma is caused by several factors, including deeply ingrained
cultural biases, or even misleading information about the disease, and prior associations with
marginalized groups (such as guys who have sex with men, drug injectors, or sex workers). In
many countries, HIV is still viewed as a "moral" disease that is commonly linked to socially
behavior. Because of this, individuals living with HIV can face prejudice and discrimination,
which can take many different forms, from overt verbal assault to more subtle forms of exclusion
and discrimination.
Historical settings, such as the first HIV outbreak in the 1980s, which was portrayed in
the media as a disease of gay people, which made the societal stigma associated with the virus
even worse. People with HIV were sometimes stigmatized as being at fault for their condition
advancements in medical care and knowledge, stigma still exists and continues to impact people
People with HIV suffer from poor mental health due to stigma. Being shamed for having
the virus can result in long-term stress, anxiety, and despair, all of which can have an impact on a
person's physical well-being. People may form unfavorable opinions about themselves out of a
fear of being rejected or criticized by others, which can leave them feeling ashamed and
unworthy. People may be further isolated and experience worsening mental health issues because
of this internalized stigma, which can keep them from telling others they are HIV positive. This
is especially seen in younger carriers as described by Gary Harper: "Stigma associated with HIV
is closely linked to poor mental health outcomes. Adolescents and young adults who are
diagnosed with HIV often report feeling a sense of shame and self-doubt, leading to increased
anxiety and depression. These emotional struggles can significantly impact both their mental and
Studies have shown that people living with HIV are at a significantly higher risk of
experiencing depression and anxiety compared to the general population. The mental health
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challenges they face are often frustrating as they try to be in a society that judges them, and these
challenges can make the carriers struggle to face the disease. The stigma therefore becomes a key
factor in determining both the psychological and social lives of HIV carriers.
Social stigma takes the form of discrimination, which can occur in various places, such as
concern, as it not only affects the carrier sense of dignity but can also impact the quality of care
they receive. As they may not be as open to healthcare or to even seek medical help (Anderson).
Refusing to seek medical care out of fear of prejudice is one of the most well-known
problems that persons with HIV confront. Because they fear being treated differently or even
refused care, many patients with HIV choose not to disclose their status to medical personnel.
Because untreated HIV patients are more prone to unintentionally spread the virus to others, this
reluctance to get treatment can result in delayed diagnosis, worse health outcomes, and higher
transmission rates. Bebe Anderson backs this up by saying: "When patients with HIV are afraid
to disclose their status, they risk not receiving timely treatment, which can exacerbate health
issues. Untreated HIV leads to worse health outcomes, including increased susceptibility to
quality of life and premature mortality" (n.pag.). This is extremely dangerous since any person
especially someone diagnosed with such a dangerous disease such as HIV should seek medical
help.
Healthcare providers are feared by the possible discrimination that can also discourage
individuals from looking to treatment regimens, which are crucial for managing HIV. (ART) is
critical for helping with minimizing the virus and maintaining a good quality of life, but people
diagnosed with HIV may struggle to stay on track with their treatment if they feel the social
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stigma effect by their healthcare providers or believe that their providers are not empathetic to
their needs. This is seen by what Carlisle Caroline: “Fear of discrimination from healthcare
providers can deter individuals from adhering to their treatment regimens. Stigma, whether
explicit or subtle, can create an environment where patients feel unsafe or unsupported, leading
Additionally, the stigma associated with HIV may also prevent carriers from engaging in
preventive healthcare, such as routine screenings, mental health services, and support for other
co-occurring conditions. For carriers who live in smaller, rural communities, or in areas with less
access to healthcare, this stigma can be especially worse, making it difficult for them to find
healthcare providers who are both knowledgeable about HIV and discreet in treating people
ashamed and afraid of being rejected, which can cause them to isolate themselves from others.
This retreat may show itself as avoiding friends and family, stopping participation in community
events, or disengaging from support groups. Social isolation can exacerbate mental health issues
Moreover, the stigma surrounding HIV can disrupt romantic and intimate relationships.
Which is specially more difficult with teens. As they take social stigma significantly worse than
other ages. Mark Liddell notes that: “A 2019 study published in The Journal of Adolescent
Health found that 40% of adolescents living with HIV experienced stigma in healthcare settings,
which can negatively influence their adherence to antiretroviral therapy (ART)” (4).
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The denial a therapy is a demonstration of how the disease affects them in an emotional level,
but that’s not the case for everyone. Many people living with HIV report difficulties in disclosing
their HIV status to partners, often fearing rejection or judgment. In some cases, partners may not
want to engage in sexual activity with their partners who has HIV, or they may feel betrayed
upon learning the status, leading to relationship breakdowns. This can result in a cycle of
isolation, where the carriers feel unsupported both emotionally and physically.
It has been demonstrated that HIV carriers have better health outcomes when they have
strong community support. By giving people the tools, they need to manage the difficulties of
living with HIV, social support can mitigate the harmful consequences of stigma. Support
systems, whether created by friends, family, or neighborhood associations, are essential for
lowering feelings of loneliness and improving a person's capacity to cope with their illness.
Reducing HIV stigma is essential for improving health outcomes and the general well-
being of people living with HIV, especially in healthcare environment or places. The experiences
of people with HIV are significantly shaped by healthcare professionals, and their perceptions of
the virus have the power to either increase or decrease stigma. It is possible to foster an
atmosphere where individuals living with HIV feel comfortable, respected, and understood by
educating healthcare professionals about their own prejudices and cultural competency.
Reducing stigma through public health programs is also crucial to altering public
perceptions of HIV. These efforts can include media representations that dispel myths about HIV
and people infected with the virus, educational activities, and awareness campaigns. Stigma can
be lessened over time by informing the public about the facts of HIV transmission and the
developments in treatment that have made HIV a treatable illness. Better mental and physical
health outcomes may result from increased acceptance and support for those living with HIV.
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Roger Pebody confirms this with some interesting statistics: “A 2018 study by the HIV and
Health Communication Agency showed that nearly 40% of people living with HIV experienced
stigma and discrimination, which directly impacted their willingness to seek care and disclose
The way that HIV is portrayed in the media can potentially positively affect public
opinion. public health initiatives that highlight public perceptions by providing truthful,
sympathetic, and humanizing portrayals of HIV-positive carriers. Which can be changed from
one of dread and humiliation to one of hope and understanding by highlighting medical
undetectable levels.
Furthermore, public health initiatives ought to focus on meeting the unique requirements
of underserved groups, including drug injectors, prostitutes, and LGBTQ+ individuals. These
groups are more susceptible to poor mental health outcomes and limited access to care because
Ultimately the negative societal attitudes, towards HIV continue to pose a challenge for
those living with the virus by impacting their well-being and ability to access support and
maintain relationships, with others. Stigma, in healthcare environments appears in forms. Subtly
and, at other times more openly. Making it harder for people to access the necessary care they
require (Unaids).
In the end the well-being of individuals affected by HIV involves initiatives aimed at
diminishing the stigma associated with the virus— through training sessions and educational
campaigns, in healthcare facilities and workplaces. Addressing stigma can enhance individuals
access to healthcare services. Foster the growth of a community that treats those living with HIV
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with dignity and respect. There is optimism that as media initiatives and public health campaigns
work to debunk misconceptions about HIV and promote understanding of the virus realities. This
progress may lead to health outcomes and a society that is increasingly embracing and
Anderson, Bebe. “HIV stigma and discrimination persist, even in health care”,
and-discrimination-persist-even-health-care/2009-12 (2009).
EBSCOhost, research.ebsco.com/linkprocessor/plink?id=dfb63cd3-da13-3bfa-bca0-
Emlet, Charles A., et al. “The Impact of HIV-Related Stigma on Older and Younger
Adults Living with HIV Disease: Does Age Matter?” AIDS Care, vol. 27, no. 4, Apr.
https://doi-org.uhd.idm.oclc.org/10.1080/09540121.2014.978734.
adults newly diagnosed with HIV: Findings from the project accept intervention.” AIDS
https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC4183905/#:~:text=The%20stigma
%20associated%20with%20HIV,well%20as%20decreased%20self%20esteem (2014)
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Mahajan, Alan., et al. "Stigma in the HIV/AIDS Epidemic: A Review of the Literature and
Recommendations for the Way Forward." The Lancet, vol. 372, no. 9636, 2008, pp. 939-
949. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0140-6736(08)61653-4.
www.aidsmap.com/about-hiv/what-hiv-stigma.
Unaids “HIV and stigma and discrimination.” Human Rights Sheet Series. Available at:
https://www.unaids.org/sites/default/files/media_asset/07-hiv-human-rights-factsheet-
stigma-discrmination_en.pdf (2021)