1 Stigma and Discrimination against PLHIV HAIVN Harvard Medical School AIDS Initiative in Vietnam

2 By the end of this session, participants will be able to: Identify the manifestations of stigma and discrimination List 4 main causes of stigma and discrimination Explain the consequences of stigma and discrimination in the care of PLHIV Describe the methods to reduce stigma and discrimination Learning Objectives

3 Stigma and Discrimination

4 Stigma is assigned a person or a group of people to a different thing from the most people Discrimination is often described as the unfair treatment to a person or a group of people Definition

5 Self-stigmatized: People who have seen the other stigmatized then fear and separate from other people Stigmatized: People who have been stigmatized in the past Two Forms of Stigma

6 Alienated: being avoid contact Rejected: when seeking medical, at work and in the family Isolated: Stay in a separate area in the family, hospital... The Manifestations of Stigma and Discrimination

7 Lack of information, lack of understanding of the HIV transmission Lack of experience Fear of disease, fear of stigma Cohesion of HIV/AIDS with the “social evils” People sometimes unaware about their stigma behavior Causes of Stigma and Discrimination

8 Customers do not come to counseling and testing service: Do not use services Do not know the infection status and maybe spread to others Consequences of Stigma and Discrimination(1)

9 Customers do not have access to care and treatment: Do not take advantage of services Too sick to be treated or the fee is more expensive Some diseases can be spread to the community if not treated Consequences of Stigma and Discrimination(1(2)

10 Reduce Stigma and Discrimination

11 Ensure the privacy of clinic Ensure that all client records are confidential Avoid using banners, posters… around the area for HIV patients Reduce Stigma and Discrimination in Health Services(1)

12 Avoid isolating HIV patients with other patients Avoid using gloves in case there is no risk of exposure Warmly welcome patients: Smile, use kind words and express sincere Avoid non-verbal communication to show contempt, disgust or disrespect Reduce Stigma and Discrimination in Health Services (2)

13 Organize training for the medical staffs about: "Standard Precautions" and Exposure prevention skills Develop policies to protect people living with HIV from persecution or discrimination Reduce Stigma and Discrimination in Health Services (3)

14 Promote the role of HIV-infected people Consult for HIV-infected people and their families in order to reduce stigma and self-stigmatized Strengthen communication, enhance understanding in the community about HIV/AIDS Campaign for HIV/AIDS prevention Reduce Stigma and Discrimination in the Community

15 Stigma and discrimination can be seen everywhere: in the family or in public Common cause leading to stigma is the lack of understanding Stigma and discrimination affect patients' access to treatment and counseling services All measures should be applied to reduce stigma and discrimination in health care facilities and community Key Points

16 Thank you! Questions?