Monday, February 23, 2009
Research finds a third of people with HIV are still experiencing discrimination
On behalf of THT and the Department of Health, Sigma Research undertook a survey, known as ‘What Do You Need?’ In the survey of 1,777 people with HIV in the UK, 36% have faced discrimination in the last year.Discrimination came from their community, doctors, family and other health professionals, and was increased by homophobic, racist and immigration-related prejudice.
Marc Thompson, Acting Head of Health Promotion at Terrence Higgins Trust said:
"Despite provisions in the Disability Discrimination Act, large numbers of people with HIV are facing discrimination on a regular basis. In the family, this could be name-calling, marginalisation or even issues like the refusal of family members to share kitchen equipment. People with HIV also reported breaches of confidentiality or refusal of services from health or care professionals".
The survey also found that over half of the respondents were unhappy with their sex lives and two-thirds had problems with sex in the previous year.
Peter Weatherburn, Director of Sigma Research said
"The survey further demonstrates the complex needs of many people with HIV. The widespread experience of discrimination and social isolation point to the harshness of living with HIV, compared with other chronic conditions".
The research can be downloaded at: www.sigmaresearch.org.uk
