AIDS-Related Stigma: Perceptions of Family Caregivers and Health Volunteers in Western Uganda

This article reports the findings from a qualitative research study carried out in four areas in western Uganda. Opinions about AIDS-related stigma were elucidated from four focus group discussions with health volunteers of a home-based care program for HIV/AIDS and from 16 in-depth interviews with family caregivers of AIDS patients. While the health volunteers emphasized that AIDS-related stigma is still very strong, the family caregivers said that positive changes have occurred and discrimination against AIDS patients and their family members has eased. The difference in the perception of AIDS-related stigma between health volunteers and family caregivers needs further confirmation through additional studies specifically designed to answer this question. It should also be investigated whether the healthcare system itself contributes to AIDS-related stigma in this environment.