AIDS: the contamination remains a discriminating factor

People with AIDS are discriminated against in their social, professional and private life, said Sida Info Service in presenting the results of a survey conducted by him.

Context of discrimination

In June and July 2005, the people who called hotlines and counseling AIDS Information Law, Sida Info Service, HIV Info Caregivers, Lifeline's Rights Info sick and those who viewed the website Sida Info Service were asked to answer a questionnaire on discrimination.

Sida Info Service has analyzed the results of 349 questionnaires in the month dedicated to the fight against discrimination in the year of awareness "AIDS 2005 Great National Cause".

In general, 57.3% of respondents believe they have been discriminated against because of their HIV status, concludes the survey, presented in a press release. When investigators have detailed the areas concerned (in particular medical field, career, banks, sexual partner, family, friends), it is ultimately more than 8 out of 10 people who say they have suffered at least one discriminatory event.

In the medical community, indiscretions and not confidentiality were raised by some respondents, as well as breach of confidentiality and disclosure of HIV status to a third party (employer, friend, family).

Women more than men discriminated against in the medical community

Women were more likely than men to report discrimination from caregivers (6 out of 10 women against four out of 10 men). This difference appears to be due to the fact that women consult gynecologists, suggests the authors. "Apart from the refusal of care, women are blamed pregnancy or desire to have children. They often feel guilty, taxed 'irresponsible' and sometimes are offered an abortion, hysterectomy or sterilization," the release.

Frequent callers by the refusal by a professional, to deliver dental mention led to a questioning of the National Council of the Order of Dentists, says Sida Info Service.

Discrimination in the banking and insurance are as numerous as in the workplace, according to the survey results: a third of the respondents mentioned.

The second major phenomenon highlighted by the survey is the self-exclusion: almost 8 out of 10 people say spontaneously renounce certain things for fear of being discriminated against. The evidence cited by Sida Info Service include stories resignations of denial of medical care or not pursuing a relationship with a partner.

Nearly a quarter of those interviewed and given a consultation, a medical examination or treatment and you have a third of their HIV status at that time, says the press release.

In France, 150,000 people living with the virus that causes AIDS, and 5,000 to 6,000 are infected each year.