Stigma and Discrimination against People Living with HIV: A Case study A hospital in Khon Kaen province

Abstract

The objectives of this study were to 1) study the problems caused by stigma and discrimination against people living with HIV, 2) study the causes of stigma and discrimination against people living with HIV, and 3) study for the guideline to reduce stigma and discrimination, allow people living with HIV to have the same rights as the general citizen, and help people living with HIV who had been stigmatized by society to return to living normal lives. Using qualitative research approach, the research instrument was an in-depth interview included 15 people living with HIV, 5 health care providers, 2 HIV NGOs, 1 counseling psychologist, and 1 human rights academic, for a total of 24 people.

            The finding showed that 1) problems arising from stigma and discrimination against people living with HIV were: the problem of negative attitudes towards people living with HIV, the behavioral problems when others know they were infected with HIV, the problem of work and employment and the problems of unequal rights and welfare. 2) The causes of stigma and discrimination against people living with HIV were attitudes, values, beliefs, and knowledge about HIV and AIDS, and various media. 3) the guideline to reduce stigma and discrimination against people living with HIV were raising public awareness, providing equal and friendly services to people living with HIV, policy of providing artificial welfare to people living with HIV and promoting civil society participation in reducing stigma and discrimination against people living with HIV and protecting the rights of people living with HIV.