Amsterdam 2015
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| Abstract #2157 - Internalised and externalised stigma | ||||
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Session: 55.1: Internalised and externalised stigma (Oral poster discussion) on Friday @ 12.30-13.30 in Poster room 1 Chaired by Poul Rohleder, Yan Guo Authors: Presenting Author: Mr Solomon Girma - CAFOD/SCIAF/Trocaire joint programme in Ethiopia, Ethiopia |
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| Additional Authors: | ||||
| Aim: HIV related stigma is one of the greatest obstacles for people living with /affected by HIV accessing care, support and prevention services. Stigma further excludes people from their rightful place in economic, educational, social and family circles. Faith leaders have remarkable influence over beliefs around HIV. By refusing to acknowledge HIV or through messages linking HIV with morality, faith leaders can drive stigma. From 2010-2013, CAFOD/SCIAF/Trócaire (CST) supported the Stigma Reduction Initiative (SRI) in Adigrat based on the belief that the same faith leaders and communities can exert their influence to tackle judgmental attitudes, denounce stigma and bring about lasting change. SRI conducted annual participatory surveys to examine how stigma is experienced in faith communities. This informed evidence-based stigma reduction strategies developed and implemented by faith leaders in partnership with PLHIV. | ||||
| Method / Issue: SRI comprises two core components: the Stigma Reduction Survey and the Faith Leader Strategies. The survey is based on the standard methodology of the People Living with HIV Stigma Index Survey Questionnaire developed by GNP+. In consultation with GNP+, the Stigma Index Survey was adapted to include questions specifically related to faith. 50 women and men living with/affected by HIV, were trained to conduct surveys exploring stigma experienced by women, men and children living with/affected by HIV. Annually, 1,000 respondents were recruited and surveyed across 5 districts. Data was analyzed in SPSS and findings shared with faith leaders and people involved in SRI, who then developed 12 month action plans to reduce HIV-related stigma. Faith leaders subsequently implemented these plans before another survey round was completed. | ||||
| Results / Comments: Exclusion of PLHIV from family activities declined from 16% in 2011 to 4.5% in 2013 and from 7.4% to 1.4% among People affected by HIV. In the same period, exclusion from religious activities declined from 15.6% to 2% among PLHIV and less than 1% of people affected by HIV reported exclusion - a decline from 5.8%. Exclusion from housing reduced from 4% to 1% and no denial of health services was reported – down from 2.4%. SRI helped PLHIV to share their feelings and disclose their status. According to female survey respondent “now I disclosed my status, I joined the local PLHIV association, and I actively engaging in awareness creation activities’’. Faith healing messages and judgmental attitudes of faith leaders have reduced which in turn contributed to increasing VCT and treatment seeking practices. No ART outs were reported in 2013. The uptake of VCT increased from 1,188 to 1,645. | ||||
| Discussion: The SRI has had a significant impact on the quality of life for PLHIV and people affected by HIV in all project sites. SRI has made some progress towards increased access to testing and ART uptake. SRI has achieved this through the surveys inherent empowerment model by improving faith leaders’ knowledge on HIV, transforming their attitudes towards PLHIV, and changing their practices to increase their support of PLHIV. CST will sustain the gains made in these sites and roll this methodology out to new geographic areas to strengthen responses that reduce HIV related stigma. | ||||
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