Back to Annual Meeting Page		American Public Health Association 133rd Annual Meeting & Exposition December 10-14, 2005 Philadelphia, PA

Abstract #109643

Wambui Grace Gathirua¹, Mwangi James Murage¹, and Regina Wanjiru Gathirua². (1) Public Health, Indiana University Purdue University of Indianapolis, 1050 Wishard Boulevard, Indianapolis, IN 46202, 317-255-4812, ggathiru@iupui.edu, (2) Kenya Network of Women Living with AIDS (KENWA), P.O Box 129, Kerugoya, 10300, Kenya

This study was performed under the aegis of The Kenya Network of Women Living with HIV/AIDS within four impoverished areas in Nairobi. The impact of HIV/AIDS on women is profound and acute. Stigma and discrimination (SD) associated with HIV and AIDS are the greatest barriers to preventing new infections, providing adequate care, support and treatment and alleviating impact. This paper reviews the causes of stigma, the socio-economic, psychological, and medical aspects of stigmatization and discrimination experienced by women living with HIV/AIDS in Kenya and effective strategies to overcome SD. HIV/AIDS-related SD are triggered by many forces: lack of understanding of the disease, myths about HIV transmission, lack of treatment, irresponsible media reporting on the epidemic, social fears about sexuality, and fears relating to illness and death. In Kenya, and in many developing nations, HIV/AIDS infected women encounter economic, cultural and social obstacles through SD: loss of employment or income, community and family isolation, denial of treatment, depression and self-stigmatization. Cultural and traditional beliefs perpetuate and create an enabling environment for sustainability of SD. The disparaging conclusion is that women living with HIV/AIDS find themselves in solitude. They cannot utilize available resources for fear of falling victims of harsh stigma and discrimination. The fight against SD calls for comprehensive strategies that entail continuing advocacy, empowerment, community mobilization, life skills education, legal protection and upholding human rights. Whatever its form, HIV/AIDS stigma and discrimination inflicts suffering and interferes with attempts to fight the AIDS epidemic. Fight AIDS and not people with AIDS.

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