HIV-Related Stigma in the Netherlands

S.E. Stutterheim, A.E.R. Bos, H.P. Schaalma

A quantitative survey study on HIV-related stigma conducted with 667 People living with HIV/AIDS (PLWHA) in the Netherlands. This study represented the views of mostly Dutch and Western European PLWHA. Another study included 42 HIV positive participants from African, Antillean or Surinamese descent and 52 HIV negative participants from the African, Antillean and Surinamese communities in the Netherlands and employed qualitative rather than quantitative research methodology to ensure coverage. The media, the gay community, going out or partying, the financial services sector, work and sexual partners are all important settings in which HIV-related stigma has been reported to occur. Important manifestations of HIV-related stigma experienced by PLWHA are blaming, increased physical distance, avoidance, excessive hygienic measures, indifference and exclusion from social activities. Further, HIV-related stigma is perpetuated by associations between HIV and norm-violating behaviours such as promiscuity and homosexuality. These perceptions are exacerbated by taboos on talking about HIV, sexuality and homosexuality.