Understanding and Overcoming the Stigma Surrounding the HIVS/AIDS Epidemic

In 1985, a 13-year-old haemophilia patient in Kokomo, Indiana, when the diagnosis of Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS) became public knowledge due to discontent and concern from parents and teachers, this school It was expelled from. In 41 years after the Holocaust in 1986, conservative journalist William F. Buckley (Jr.) said, "... Everyone with AIDS suggested that you should put a tattoo on your upper arm Protect the usual needle user and waist to prevent other gay suffering. "

Since the epidemic of AIDS, stigma and discrimination have increased the spread of HIV and have greatly increased the adverse effects associated with AIDS. Every country and region around the world shows HIV-related stigma and discrimination, which is a major obstacle to further infection prevention, mitigation of impact, and appropriate care, support and treatment. Stigmies related to AIDS discuss frankly about both their causes and appropriate response. The visibility and openness of AIDS is a prerequisite for successful mobilization of governments, communities, and individuals to cope with epidemics. Hidden encouragement denies the problem and delays urgent action. It makes HIV-infected people "problematic" rather than addressing AIDS containment and management issues.

For those who have never experienced the beginning of the AIDS epidemic in the early 1980s it is difficult to understand how much shame, fear and misunderstanding surround diseases. According to a 1985 US poll, 51% of Americans believe that AIDS patients should be quarantined and 15% believe they should be identified with a tattoo. When Philadelphia was released in 1993, it helped to change these perceptions. The movie is the story of a young gay attorney, acted by Tom Hanks, who was fired by his company after discovering that he had AIDS. This is the first Hollywood movie to deal with AIDS and homophobia. Until there were few people who wanted to discuss the theme, it helped to delete themes. Gary Bell, advocate of HIV, says: