AEGiS-15IAC: Fighting stigma using PLWAS support groups.

15th International AIDS Conference


Bangkok, Thailand - July 11-16, 2004

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Fighting stigma using PLWAS support groups.

Int Conf AIDS 2004 Jul 11-16; 15:(abstract no. E10184)

Chingombe S
Home based care programme, Lusaka, Zambia

ISSUES: to promote a positive atmosphere in a marginalized community by PLWAS to people vulnerable to HIV and provision of care and support.

DESCRIPTION: members of the support group meets the need of the community members, patients(HIV/AIDS) and their families. Human rights matters as one of the components of this programme. Workshops based on expirience,counseling,personal testimonies are given by members of the support group who have come out in the open.

LESSONS LEARNED: The involvement of PLWAS has seen a number of families being counselled and tested and announced their status to to their close relatives. Some families that rejected some of their family members have readmitted them and are affirming that they have known they were not the only ones going through this tragedy. Recomendations: The involvement of positive persons in psychosociaial care of other HIV/AIDS patients is an effective initiative for it contrbutes to a better acceptance of the illness enable social reintegration and fiht the abandonment of HIV/AIDS persons to themselves. Stigma and discrimination can be fought using this concept.

Keywords: AEGIS, Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome, Self-Help Groups, HIV Infections, HIV, Counseling, Family, HIV Seropositivity, Health Services Needs and Demand, Human Rights, Residence Characteristics, HIV-1, Health Services, Humans, utilization, organization & administration

040711
E10184

Copyright © 2004 - International AIDS Society (IAS). Reproduction of this abstract (other than one copy for personal reference) must be cleared through the IAS.