Positive and Supportive Caring for People Living with HIV

HIV-related stigma plays a crucial role in perpetuating the HIV epidemic. Research indicates that stigma dampens conversations about HIV prevention and, for those who are HIV positive, interferes with access to, and compliance with, care. Stigma also fosters mental health problems. By association, it impacts those infected with HIV, their families and social networks, as well as populations and geographic areas. Although HIV-related stigma has been identified as an international, national and local concern, to our knowledge, we have the only peer-reviewed, evidence-based intervention demonstrated to reduce stigma and to increase comfort interacting with persons living with HIV (PLwHIV).

It is a hallmark of the HIV epidemic that we have placed the burden of managing stigmas on PLwHIV, or on legal supports for confidentiality and protections against discrimination. PLwHIV, however, are most likely to experience discrimination in daily interactions at work, at sites of care, and in the community. The HIV literature largely attributes these small “insults” to ignorance about transmission or negative associations with transmission routes, yet the literature on attitudes, prejudice and illness adds other dimensions (e.g., interactional awkwardness with anyone with a serious or unfamiliar illness). Quite simply, even with good intentions, many do not know how to behave toward a PLwHIV (or a person at-risk for HIV) in the same way that they do for someone with a cold or flu. Our trainings educate the support and care networks of PLwHIV in “positive and supportive care” through a peer-to-peer model in order to change norms of behavior as directed by diffusion of innovation theory.

These trainings are conducted on a fee-for-service basis, and can be tailored to those with clinical or nonclinical expertise, and to focus on local population needs. If you are interested in implementing such a training in your organization, please contact Dan Rosen at [email protected].