April 2, 2008

Stigma Surrounding HIV-Positive Women Still Strong

A new study released by the Foundation for AIDS Research, or amfAR, shows that stigma surrounding HIV-positive women leads to a hesitancy for women to disclose their status to close friends, employers and potential sex partners, the Atlanta Journal Constitution reports (ajc.com, 3/31).
 
“Despite 25 years of progress in diagnosing and treating the disease, one in five Americans would not be comfortable with having an HIV-positive woman as a close friend,” said Susan Blumenthal, senior policy and medical advisor for amfAR.

According to the survey, most Americans said they’d be uncomfortable having an HIV-positive woman as their health care or child-care provider.

The survey identified shame and blame as two obstacles that affect HIV-positive women all around the world.

“Women often times don’t want to hear about heterosexual women with HIV because it then becomes something real that they have to worry about,” said POZ editor-in-chief Regan Hofmann.

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Tammy W., Goose Creek SC, 2008-04-04 12:55:36
I am one of those women. I am married with 2 daughters and have been HIV+ for 8 years. I tell a lot of people I come in contact with that I am. I let them know this can happen to anyone. I am straight and not a drug user. I encourage everyone to get tested because you never know.

Passionatelover, Houston, TX, 2008-04-04 11:50:54
I agree that heterosexual women and men don't want to hear about HIV because then it becomes real and that is a shame because it is real. Knowlege is power and the more everyone knows about HIV and/or other STD's the more powerful U become. If Ur going to play, U should play safe and know the do's and don'ts, there are very few don'ts if U play safe. Sex is a normal, healthy part of living, just play safe.