Little is known about the experiences of people with HIV in the small island nation of Timor-Leste. This study explored the HIV-related stigma experiences of adults aged between 18 and 40 living with HIV in Dili, Timor-Leste. Participants were interviewed on topics related to living with HIV, both as key informants describing the experience of others with HIV known to them, and also with respect to their own personal experiences. Findings suggest that people with HIV in Timor-Leste face stigma and discrimination in various contexts. In this predominantly Catholic country, perceptions of HIV and attitudes towards people with HIV appear to be commonly shaped by religious beliefs. In families and communities, participants encountered gossip, social exclusion and threats of violence. In health settings, participants experienced discrimination from health providers in the form of failing to maintain confidentiality and inappropriate treatment. The impact of stigma was profoundly negative and influenced participants’ decision to disclose their status to others. Participants attributed stigma to a lack of information about HIV among the general public. Unless stigma reduction interventions also address the Church’s role in shaping perceptions of HIV, education campaigns are unlikely to be effective in reducing HIV-related stigma.
summary
There is limited knowledge about the experience of people living with HIV in the small island nation of East Timor. This study explored the experiences of HIV-related stigma in HIV-infected adults aged 18-40 years living in Dili. Participants were interviewed on topics related to living with HIV, both as key informants describing the experiences of others who, with their knowledge, were living with HIV, and as people with HIV Own experiences. According to the findings, people living with HIV in East Timor would face stigma and discrimination in various contexts. In this predominantly Catholic country, perceptions about HIV and attitudes towards people living with the virus seem to be commonly determined by religious beliefs. In families and in communities, participants were confronted with rumors, social exclusion and threats of violence. In healthcare settings, they were discriminated against by health care providers, which was manifested in their failure to maintain confidentiality and to prescribe appropriate treatment. The impact of stigma was profoundly negative and influenced participants’ decision to disclose their HIV status to others. Participants attributed the stigma to a lack of information about HIV among the general public. Unless interventions are taken into account in the role of the church in determining perceptions about HIV, it is likely that education campaigns will not reduce the stigma associated with HIV.
Resumen
Poco se sabe sobre las experiencias de personas seropositivas en el pequeño país insular de Timor-Leste. En este estudio se analizaron las experiencias de estigma relacionado con el VIH en adultos seropositivos con edades comprendidas entre los 18 y 40 años de Dili. Se entrevistó a los participantes sobre temas que tenían que ver con el hecho de ser seropositivos, en calidad de informantes clave que describieron las experiencias de otras personas también seropositivas, y con respecto a sus propias experiencias personales. Los resultados indican que las personas seropositivas en Timor-Leste sufren estigma y discriminación en varios contextos. En este país predominantemente católico, las percepciones del VIH y las actitudes hacia personas seropositivas parece que están determinadas en general por las creencias religiosas. En familias y comunidades, los participantes sufrieron chismorreos, exclusión social y amenazas de violencia. En entornos sanitarios, los participantes sufrieron discriminación por parte de los profesionales de la salud al no mantener la confidencialidad y con un tratamiento inadecuado. El impacto del estigma era profundamente negativo e influía en la decisión de los participantes a revelar su estado a otras personas. Los participantes atribuían el estigma a la falta de información sobre el VIH entre el público en general. A menos que en los programas para reducir el estigma también se aborde el papel que desempeña la iglesia en las percepciones formadas sobre el VIH, es poco probable que las campañas educativas sean capaces de reducir el estigma relacionado con el VIH.
by Kate Williams, Bridget G. Haire & Sally Nathan
Source – Taylor & Francis Online
