stds-stis-hiv-aids-2017-posters-accepted-abstracts

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Page 46
Virology research J 2017 Vol 1 Issue 2
Notes:
July 26-27, 2017 | Vancouver, Canada
WORLD CONFERENCE ON STDs, STIs & HIV/AIDS
alliedacademies
An estimate of 80,000 people are living with HIV in
Germany with 4,400 sero-positive persons in the State of
Lower Saxony which counts amongst the high HIV prevalence
states in Germany. Yet, many sexually active people do not
know their HIV status. In so doing, HIV-related stigma stands
a major barrier in seeking VCT especially within the African
communities. Gender and culture play a significant part in
the aftermath of the infection. Women are more likely to be
blamed for the transmission of HIV compared to men. All
these complicate the disclosure of infection and prevention
of HIV transmission. HIV prevention efforts are slowed
down by societal and cultural factors that largely lead to
stigmatization of infected individuals.
The current research therefore examines the socio-cultural
constructions of HIV stigma and dilemmas as African-
migrant Women struggle to cope with the challenges posed
by HIV/AIDS in their day to day lives. The social context
of HIV-related stigma is reflected in negative behaviors
including discrimination, denial, secrecy and self-blame.
Most HIV infections are through heterosexual transmission,
a mode of transmission closely linked to promiscuity and the
resultant HIV-related stigma. The complexity surrounding
HIV-related stigma cannot be ignored considering the fact
that, it is layered amongst other stigmas such as gender and
promiscuity (Skinner & Mfecane, 2004). Intersectionality is
an ideal framework for analyzing complex health inequalities
that occurs among HIV-infected subgroups especially
African Women whose experiences are different from
their male counterpacts. Multiple factors often precipitate
stigmatization experiences and their social identities at the
individual level such as being female, ethnic minority, low
economic status which interlocks with oppressive forces
at the macro level e.g classism or sexism which creates
social injustice. It is vital to examine the underlying aspects
creating and re-enforcing HIV-related stigma in order to
design culturally sensitive interventions. Thus,redefining
HIV/AIDS from the social perspective which initially created
stigma needs to be addressed in order to eradicate it.
e:
Socio-cultural construction of HIV/AIDS stigma among african migrant women in lower saxony, Germany
Joyceline NtohYuh
University of Oldenburg, Germany