Telling the truth about HIV? Testing and disclosure in a culture of stigma

Abstract

HIV stigmatization is one of the most notable barriers to individual testing, seriously impairing global efforts in the fight against HIV/AIDS. Because stigmatization is strongly embedded in local cultural and social habits, humanitarian healthcare workers providing HIV testing, counselling and prevention programs in low and middle income countries (LMICs) have become a serious alternative to local healthcare providers. This case study addresses some of the ethical dilemmas that humanitarian healthcare workers face when confronted with HIV-associated stigma.