Psycho-Social Problems of Women Living with HIV/AIDS and its Impact on their Families in Andhra Pradesh, India.

Abstract

The global experiences and recent studies reveal that the HIV/AIDS is a life-threatening disease, irrespective of age, gender, cast, creed, colour and race and therefore people react to it in strong ways. Many innocent people have been victimising for this devilish disease without their knowledge. This is very pathetic condition where women have been scapegoats for this disease especially. Instead of getting sympathy and care to these victims from their houses and community, they have been stigmatizing and discriminating by their families and society. Its infection is associated with behaviours (such as homosexuality, drug addiction, prostitution or promiscuity) that are already stigmatized in many societies. Most people become infected with HIV through sex, which often carries a moral baggage. AIDS-related stigma and discrimination refers to prejudice, negative attitudes, ill treatment abuse and maltreatment directed at persons, especially women living with HIV and AIDS. Consequently the stigma and discrimination are being shunned by family, peers and the wider community, poor treatment in healthcare and education settings, an erosion of human rights, psychological pressures, depression and a negative effect on humanity and society as a whole with respect to inter and intra family responses. The effects of antiretroviral therapy on people's physical appearance can result in forced disclosure and discrimination based on appearance in the society in general and in a closed family in particular. So it is essential and crucial to focus on these areas for appropriate approach to bring down the discrimination and empower the victims of HIV/AIDS to lead social life without social stigma. Hence there is at most necessity to study and analyse for an appropriate solution to empower the victims from psycho-social problems posed by their families and society.