How stigma turns people with HIV away from health facilities

Stigma and discrimination are still being experienced at health facilities. [iStockphoto]

When HIV first became known to the world in the early 80s, the fear of the disease caused negative feelings towards those who tested positive for the virus.

While some people believed that only certain groups of people could get HIV, others made moral judgments about those who took steps to prevent HIV transmission. Many others believed that people deserved to get HIV because of their choices.