Publications

Human Immunodeficiency Virus and Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (HIV/AIDS) is currently one of themost devastating health conditions affecting the health of millions of people throughout the world. HIV/AIDSaffects entire populations, societies, and countries with enormous and tragic consequences at the national,community, family, and individual level. HIV/AIDS-related stigma is a complex concept that refers to prejudice,discounting, discrediting, and discrimination directed at persons perceived to have AIDS or HIV. Many peopleperceive that the community have negative attitudes towards people who are living with HIV/AIDS. Understandingstigma as a problem of fear and blame, rather than a problem of ignorance, can help us to understand thestigmatization process without resorting to individualism. People often blame and judge those who are living withHIV/AIDS as if they deserve it because HIV/AIDS is associated with unacceptable sexual behavior. The stigma thecommunity attaches to HIV/AIDS.