HIV-related stigma and access to health care among people living with HIV in Swaziland

Abstract

This paper examines the effect that HIV-related stigma has on access to health care among people living with HIV in Swaziland. Drawing on an analysis of in-depth interviews and focus group discussions, it describes the difficulties they encounter in accessing antiretroviral medication and the requisite care and support, and explores the experiences and perspectives of these people and their caregivers. It documents the way stigmatisation makes it difficult for people living with HIV to access essential health care services. The findings suggest that if antiretroviral therapy programmes are to succeed, they must not only address the issue of resource scarcity but also tackle the challenge of stigmatisation and establish adequate care and support systems for these people in their families and communities.

Keywords:

• HIV and AIDS
• antiretroviral
• people living with HIV
• social support
• HIV-related stigma

Acknowledgements

This study was supported by the Research Board of the University of Swaziland (Uniswa). Lungile Mabundza's role in collecting data and translating the siSwati interviews and focus group discussions is greatly appreciated.

Notes

¹‘People living with HIV’ is sometimes abbreviated to PLHIV.