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Abstract
Attending the prevention of parent to child transmission of HIV (PPTCT) programme at St Annes Hospital Brunapeg, Bulawayo, Zimbabwe
R.M. Mbatha1, L.S. Nkomo1, L. Nyawo2, I.G. Mbatha2, T. Lunga2, A.S. Meque1
The World AIDS Campaign for the years 2002 – 2003 focused on stigma and discrimination and human rights. The main objective of the campaign was to prevent, reduce and ultimately eliminate HIV and AIDS related stigma and discrimination whenever it occurs in all forms.
The study sought to investigate the impact of stigma and discrimination on women attending the Prevention of Parent to child Transmission of HIV programme (PPTCT) at St. Anne’s Hospital in rural Brunapeg, by investigating the impact of HIV on their livelihoods, families and relationships, the aspects of the PPTCT programme that could lead to the stigmatisation of women, their experiences of disclosure to their partners and significant others, their views on how stigma can be alleviated in their community and the benefit of counselling in dealing with discrimination.
Background information on HIV/AIDS, stigma and discrimination were researched. The Literature review focused on how stigma is a violation of human rights, and that in many ways it affects not only people living with HIV/AIDS but also their families and care givers.
A qualitative research design using the Case Study approach guided the researcher in data collection and analysis. The participants comprised of thirty women who had received Voluntary Counselling and Testing in the PPTCT programme at the hospital. The Questionnaire and Standardized Open ended Interview were used as data collection instruments
The findings on the impact of stigma revealed that stigma demobilises women to come forward and receive VCT, leads to the deterioration of interpersonal relationships, further re-infection and prevents advocacy and the capacity of civil society to fight the HIV pandemic.
This research was mainly intended to provide information that would assist HIV positive women, AIDS service organisations and policy makers to advocate for changes that would alleviate the stigma attached to being HIV positive and explore benefits of male participation.
AIDS 2006 - XVI International AIDS Conference
Abstract no.
MOPE0878
Suggested Citation
"R.M.Mbatha, et al.
Attending the prevention of parent to child transmission of HIV (PPTCT) programme at St Annes Hospital Brunapeg, Bulawayo, Zimbabwe.
:
AIDS 2006 - XVI International AIDS Conference:
Abstract no.
MOPE0878"
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