AEGiS-14IAC: Prevalence and experiences of discrimination against people with HIV.

14th International AIDS Conference


Barcelona, Spain - July 7-12, 2002

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Prevalence and experiences of discrimination against people with HIV.

Int Conf AIDS 2002 Jul 7-12; 14:(abstract no. TuOrF1209)

Power L, Kinniburgh J, Cairns G
Terrence Higgins Trust, London, United Kingdom

ISSUES: Many PWHIV were asking for action against discrimination, but review showed no recent research into extent or types of anti-PWHIV discrimination in the UK.

DESCRIPTION: As part of a national consultation with PWHIV on a governmental HIV strategy, questionnaire respondents were asked whether they had experienced discrimination and what kind. In all, 430 people were consulted. Overall respondent profile was broadly in alignment with UK epidemiology and 78% reported experiencing anti-HIV discrimination at some point. Some 77% also reported knowing another person who had experienced anti-HIV discrimination. Discrimination was experienced from friends (51%) and strangers (54%). Alarmingly, 46% reported discrimination from health service personnel, particularly general practitioners and dentists and 64% knew someone who had experienced discrimination in the workplace. Other sources of discrimination included housing services (16%), social services (17%) and family (32%). Insurance/financial services and religious bodies were also mentioned. The two main strategies suggested by PWHIV to tackle these problems were public awareness campaigns and better legal protection.

ISSUES: Anti-HIV discrimination is widespread and current within the UK, and is a major problem despite lack of research scrutiny. Discrimination takes many forms and is both personal and institutional. There is a need for better documentation of current experiences.

RECOMMENDATIONS: Further research is needed to explore the impact of this extensive discrimination. Remedies will need to include both social education and legislative support for change. THT has made concrete recommendations for these to government and has begun a case study databank to illustrate personal experiences of discrimination. These will be further discussed in the presentation.

Keywords: AEGIS, Prevalence, HIV Infections, HIV Seropositivity, Health Services Needs and Demand, Data Collection, Questionnaires, Mass Media, Politics, epidemiology, PsychologyKWDaegis,prevalence,hivinfections,hivseropositivity,healthservicesneedsanddemand,datacollection,questionnaires,massmedia,politics,epidemiology,psychology

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TuOrF1209

Copyright © 2002 - International AIDS Society (IAS). Reproduction of this abstract (other than one copy for personal reference) must be cleared through the IAS.