October 29, 2007

How Stigma Bars HIV-Positive People From Clean Water

Some HIV -positive people in Uganda are rejecting HIV/AIDS services—such as a safe water system provided as part of a Basic Care Package for positive people—because they fear consequent stigma and discrimination if they’re seen accepting them (allafrica.com/The Monitor, 10/26).

Sponsored by Population Services International, the Basic Care Package is a kit for HIV-positive people and their families, which contains information and health products such as treatment literature and condoms.

The kits also contain a safe water system, consisting of a 20-liter can—called a “jerrycan”—a filter cloth, and a solution to treat water. However, at a recent seminar for health workers, reports emerged of HIV-positive people shunning the kits because they felt that the white color of the kit’s jerrycans (which contrast with the usual yellow and green colors of similar cans) would alert others in the community that they were HIV positive.

Dr Lillian Sekambe, deputy director in charge of HIV services at Population Services International says that the white color was chosen to promote hygiene and that PSI would consider having white jerrycans made available to the general public in order to reduce the stigma surrounding them.