HIV status and stigma in Zambia

"HAVING gone for Voluntary Counseling and Testing (VCT) and disclosed my status, was the worst thing that I regret having done because it subjected me and my family to all kinds of discrimination and name calling from my community," these were the words of Hildah Siatwiinda, 45, of Livingstone's Libuyu Township. Ms Siatwiinda says she regrets having gone for an HIV test and disclosed that she was positive after being advised by the medical personel at Maramba Clinic that she should disclose her status to close friends and her relatives ... Because HIV is sexually transmitted, it is often presumed that those living with the virus have brought the disease upon themselves by having many sexual partners. Women are especially vulnerable to this prejudice, and they may also be blamed for infecting their children even though the father may have been the first one to be infected. Victims of stigma suffer physical and social isolation ... Stigma does not just cause agony to individuals, but also hampers prevention and care programmes ... HIV-related stigma and discrimination remains an enormous barrier to the fight against the scourge not only in Zambia but worldwide ...