HIV and AIDS, Stigma and Liberation in the Old Testament

Exchange ◽  
2007 ◽  
Vol 36 (2) ◽  
pp. 184-197 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ezra Chitando ◽  
Masiiwa Gunda
Keyword(s):  
Old Testament ◽  
Hebrew Bible ◽  
Hiv And Aids ◽  
Sub Saharan Africa ◽  
People Living With Hiv ◽  
The Bible ◽  
Aids Stigma ◽  
Sub Saharan ◽  
Living With Hiv ◽  
The Church

AbstractAs the HIV and AIDS pandemic continues to affect most parts of Sub-Saharan Africa, the church has attempted to mitigate its effects. Unfortunately, stigma has emerged as a major challenge. The church has been implicated in stigmatizing people living with HIV and AIDS. Some Christians have used the Bible to justify the exclusion of people living with HIV and AIDS. This article examines HIV and AIDS stigma. It highlights the various forms of stigma, alongside exploring the occurrence of stigma in the Hebrew Bible. The study calls for a re-reading of the Hebrew Bible in the context of HIV and AIDS stigma and discrimination. It argues that the theme of liberation that underpins the Hebrew Bible implies that stigma has no place in human relations. The paper draws attention to the need to bring liberation to the heart of mission in the light of HIV and AIDS in Africa.

scholarly journals The Stigmatization of HIV/AIDS Victims in Sub-Saharan Africa and the Gospel

2021 ◽  
Vol 7 (2) ◽  
pp. 185
Author(s):  
PHILLIPUS J. (FLIP) BUYS
Keyword(s):  
Hiv And Aids ◽  
Sub Saharan Africa ◽  
People Living With Hiv ◽  
Community Attitudes ◽  
Large Numbers ◽  
Keywords Hiv ◽  
Shame Culture ◽  
Sub Saharan ◽  
Living With Hiv ◽  
Hiv Aids

One of the most challenging issues in dealing with HIV/AIDS in Africa is breaking through the stigmas surrounding the disease and building resilience in communities where large numbers of people are infected with HIV or otherwise affected by the pandemic. This article explores the relationship between shame, fear, guilt, witchcraft, and HIV/AIDS stigmatization by looking at key features of the African traditional worldview and culture. We point out predominant witchcraft beliefs and how they translate to community attitudes towards people living with HIV and AIDS. We highlight the influence of prevailing beliefs in witchcraft and how they aggravate the experience of fear, shame, and stigmatization by people infected with or otherwise affected by HIV. Relevant aspects of the gospel are brought to bear to answer these challenges. KEYWORDS: HIV/AIDS, stigmatization, shame culture, fear culture, witchcraft, ubuntu

scholarly journals Unexpectedly low seroprevalence of toxoplasmosis in South Africa

2012 ◽  
Vol 79 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
K. Kistiah ◽  
John Frean ◽  
J. Winiecka-Krusnell ◽  
A. Barragan
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
Protozoan Parasite ◽  
Hiv And Aids ◽  
Sub Saharan Africa ◽  
People Living With Hiv ◽  
The Central Nervous System ◽  
Sub Saharan ◽  
Living With Hiv ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Intracellular Protozoan Parasite

Toxoplasmosis is an infection of warm-blooded vertebrates caused by the obligate intracellular protozoan parasite, Toxoplasma gondii. It is one of the most common parasitic diseases of humans, infecting approximately one-third of the world’s population. In persons with advanced HIV, toxoplasmosis represents a major opportunistic infection of the central nervous system. Approximately two-thirds of all people living with HIV live in sub-Saharan Africa. In areas such as this, toxoplasmosis could theoretically pose a huge threat. There is little known about T. gondii prevalence in humans in Africa. Geographically, prevalences vary widely on this continent, as observed in other parts of the world. There is limited historical information about the disease in South Africa. More knowledge is needed at a regional level about the risk of toxoplasmosis, diagnostic issues, and measures to reduce the risk to susceptible persons. The seroprevalence of T. gondii in selected populations, namely HIV-positive and HIV-negative individuals, and a more general sample biased towards pregnant women, was therefore investigated and found to be 9.8% (37/376), 12.8% (48/376) and 6.4% (32/497) respectively. Compared with historical data from South Africa, the prevalence has decreased substantially; however, the incidence of clinical disease is unknown, despite the very high burden of HIV and AIDS cases (5.9 million and 0.7 million, respectively in 2009). This study provided information relating to the diagnosis and current seroprevalence of T. gondii in South Africa. Many questions still remain to be answered however, to fully understand the impact of this parasite on the country’s population.

scholarly journals Healing of the haemorrhaging woman as a model for checkmating stigma of people living with HIV

2017 ◽  
Vol 38 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Ruth O. Oke
Keyword(s):  
Old Testament ◽  
Hiv And Aids ◽  
People Living With Hiv ◽  
Garden Of Eden ◽  
The Bible ◽  
Biblical Study ◽  
Health Practitioners ◽  
The New Testament ◽  
Living With Hiv ◽  
The Devil

Diseases in human history are not just originating as a hit out of space. Some theologians contend that they must have originated with the human race. Apparently, it is inferred that they have come as a result of human disobedience to God in the Garden of Eden, or as a means of expression of his wrath. Other biblical perspectives ascribe disease to the work of the adversary or the Devil (Job 2:7), jealousy from others (Job 5:2) and self-indulgence (1 Sm 15:1–17, 16:14–15; 23, 1 Cor 10:1ff.). Stigmatisation of people with haemorrhaging condition (the issues of blood) in the biblical accounts of the old Jewish society compares well with stigmatisation of people living with HIV (PLH) in the current dispensation. It is needful to ask whether stigmatisation, discrimination and exclusion of the sick are a recent phenomenon. Landman observes that people with communicable diseases were separated from the rest of the congregation in the Old Testament dispensation. However, in the New Testament, a more charitable standpoint was anticipated because of the revolutionary stance of Jesus Christ in the Gospels. During his ministry, Jesus regarded the outcasts as integral members of the Jewish community. He in fact associated with and touched those who had dreadful diseases like leprosy (Mk 1:40–43, 2:1ff., Jn 8:1–9). Stigmatisation is associated with HIV in Nigeria and all over the world. However, the model of interaction set by Jesus with the Woman with the Issue of Blood in Mark’s narrative in the Gospel proposed a charitable standpoint which if adopted by the Nigerian society will go a long way in stemming the stigma associated with HIV. It is anticipated that these biblical indices will facilitate reduction, if not the eradication of stigma in the society. The text under study will be contextualised.Intradisciplinary and/or interdisciplinary implications: In this article, the African reading of the Bible is brought to the fore using a liberating theology of Jesus in the context of the haemorrhaging woman, using this as a standard in ameliorating the stigma experience of PLH in the era of HIV and AIDS in Nigeria context. It is applicable to all fields of biblical study, social sciences and even health practitioners.

scholarly journals Aging, Health, and Quality of Life for Older People Living With HIV in Sub-Saharan Africa: A Review and Proposed Conceptual Framework

2017 ◽  
Vol 31 (1) ◽  
pp. 109-138 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mark J. Siedner
Keyword(s):  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Conceptual Framework ◽  
Care Delivery ◽  
Sub Saharan Africa ◽  
People Living With Hiv ◽  
Sub Saharan ◽  
Living With Hiv ◽  
The Impact

Objective: The number of people living with HIV (PLWH) over 50 years old in sub-Saharan Africa is predicted to triple in the coming decades, to 6-10 million. Yet, there is a paucity of data on the determinants of health and quality of life for older PLWH in the region. Methods: A review was undertaken to describe the impact of HIV infection on aging for PLWH in sub-Saharan Africa. Results: We (a) summarize the pathophysiology and epidemiology of aging with HIV in resource-rich settings, and (b) describe how these relationships might differ in sub-Saharan Africa, (c) propose a conceptual framework to describe determinants of quality of life for older PLWH, and (d) suggest priority research areas needed to ensure long-term gains in quality of life for PLWH in the region. Conclusions: Differences in traditional, lifestyle, and envirnomental risk factors, as well as unique features of HIV epidemiology and care delivery appear to substantially alter the contribution of HIV to aging in sub-Saharan Africa. Meanwhile, unique preferences and conceptualizations of quality of life will require novel measurement and intervention tools. An expanded research and public health infrastructure is needed to ensure that gains made in HIV prevention and treamtent are translated into long-term benefits in this region.

scholarly journals Stigmatising Attitudes Towards Co-workers with HIV in the Workplace of a Metropolitan State, Southwestern Nigeria

2017 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
pp. 67-75 ◽  
Author(s):  
Idongesit Godwin Utuk ◽  
Kayode Omoniyi Osungbade ◽  
Taiwo Akinyode Obembe ◽  
David Ayobami Adewole ◽  
Victoria Oluwabunmi Oladoyin
Keyword(s):  
Sampling Technique ◽  
Sub Saharan Africa ◽  
Good Knowledge ◽  
People Living With Hiv ◽  
Cross Sectional Survey ◽  
Southwestern Nigeria ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Sub Saharan ◽  
Living With Hiv ◽  
Hiv Aids

Background:Despite demonstrating global concerns about infection in the workplace, very little research has explored how co-workers react to those living with HIV in the workplace in sub-Saharan Africa. This study aimed to assess the level of stigmatising attitude towards co-workers living with HIV in the workplace.Methods:The study was a descriptive cross-sectional survey involving 403 respondents. They were recruited from selected companies through a multistage sampling technique. Survey was carried out using pre-tested semi-structured questionnaires. Data were analyzed using the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences to generate frequencies, cross tabulations of variables at 5% level of significance. Logistic regression model was used to determine the predictors at 95% confidence intervals.Results:Mean age of respondents was 32.9 ± 9.4 years with 86.1% being females. Overall, slightly below two-third (63.0%) had good knowledge on transmission of HIV/AIDS while 218 (54.1%) respondents had a high stigmatising attitude towards co-workers with HIV in the workplace. More female respondents (69.6%) demonstrated high stigmatising attitudes towards co-workers with HIV in the workplace (p = 0.012). Female workers were twice more likely to have high stigmatising attitudes towards co-worker with HIV [OR 2.1 (95% CI: 1.13 – 3.83)].Conclusion:Stigma towards people living with HIV/AIDs is still very persistent in different settings. Good knowledge amongst our participants about HIV/AIDs did not translate to low stigmatising attitudes among workers. Concerted efforts and trainings on the transmission of HIV/AIDs are essential to reduce stigma that is still very prevalent in workplace settings.

scholarly journals Synthesizing evidence on nutrition challenges among people living with HIV/AIDS in sub- Saharan Africa: a protocol for a scoping review

2019 ◽  
Vol 6 (7) ◽  
pp. 3173 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tafadzwa Dzinamarira ◽  
Moreblessing Chipo Mashora
Keyword(s):  
Health Outcomes ◽  
Scoping Review ◽  
Sub Saharan Africa ◽  
Future Research ◽  
People Living With Hiv ◽  
Nutritional Management ◽  
Sub Saharan ◽  
Living With Hiv ◽  
Improve Health ◽  
Hiv Aids

Background: Good nutritional status is highly significant for individuals who are infected with HIV. However, they still face a number of nutritional challenges. The proposed scoping review will map literature on the nutritional challenges facing people living with HIV/AIDS (PLWH) and guide future research in nutritional management to improve health outcomes for PLWH. Here we outline a scoping review protocol designed according to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analysis Protocols (PRISMA-P 2015 Guidelines).Methods: The Arksey and O’Malley’s 2005 scoping methodological framework further improved by Levac et al. 2010 will guide the search and reporting. Searches will be conducted for eligible articles from MEDLINE (PubMed), MEDLINE, CINAHL, Academic Search Complete and ISI Web of Science (Science Citation Index) electronic databases. Two independent reviewers will conduct the search guided by an inclusion and exclusion criteria. Quality appraisal of the included articles will be conducted guided by the mixed methods appraisal tool 2018 version. We will employ NVivo version 12 for thematic content analysis.Conclusions: The findings of this review will guide future research in nutritional management to improve health outcomes for PLWH in sub-Saharan African. This review will be disseminated electronically in a published peer reviewed article and in print.

HIV/AIDS

2020 ◽  
pp. 901-933
Author(s):  
Sarah Fidler ◽  
Timothy E.A. Peto ◽  
Philip Goulder ◽  
Christopher P. Conlon
Keyword(s):  
Large Scale ◽  
Sub Saharan Africa ◽  
People Living With Hiv ◽  
African Countries ◽  
Global Pandemic ◽  
The People ◽  
Reduce Life Expectancy ◽  
Sub Saharan ◽  
Living With Hiv ◽  
The Impact

Since its discovery in 1983, the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) has been associated with a global pandemic that has affected more than 78 million people and caused more than 39 million deaths. Globally, 36.9 million (34.3–41.4 million) people were living with HIV at the end of 2013. An estimated 0.8% of adults aged 15–49 years worldwide are living with HIV, although the burden of the epidemic continues to vary considerably between countries and regions. Sub-Saharan Africa remains most severely affected, with nearly 1 in every 20 adults living with HIV and accounting for nearly 71% of the people living with HIV worldwide. The impact of HIV in some African countries has been sufficient to reverse population growth and reduce life expectancy into the mid-30s, although HIV incidence has declined in some of these high-prevalence countries. However, there are large-scale HIV epidemics elsewhere (e.g. India, the Russian Federation, and Eastern Europe).

scholarly journals Rates and predictors of adherence and retention for antiretroviral therapy among HIV-positive adults in Enugu, Nigeria

2019 ◽  
Vol 31 (3) ◽  
pp. 202-211
Author(s):  
Onyinye Hope Chime
Keyword(s):  
Sub Saharan Africa ◽  
People Living With Hiv ◽  
Related Factors ◽  
Art Programs ◽  
Adherence To Medication ◽  
Behavioural Modification ◽  
Resource Limited ◽  
Sub Saharan ◽  
Living With Hiv ◽  
Predictors Of Adherence

BackgroundHIV infection and AIDS are majorpublic health challenges in Nigeria, a country with one of the highest rates of new infection in sub-Saharan Africa and the second largest HIV epidemic in the world.Non-adherence to medication and defaulting from treatment are the two major challenges faced by anti-retroviral therapy (ART) programs in resource-constrained settings. This study was undertaken to determine the rate and predictors of adherence to medication and retention among people living with HIVin Enugu State, Nigeria.MethodsThis was a cross-sectionalretrospective study conducted among adults living with HIV(PLHIV) receiving ARTs in eightcomprehensive health facilities in Enugu, Nigeria. We used self-reported adherence and recorded clinic visits to assess adherence and retention, respectively. Descriptive statistics (frequencies, proportions, mean and standard deviation) and regression analysis were then conducted to identify the association between adherence, retention and demographic and health-related factors. ResultsThe mean age of respondents was 38.5±9.8 years. Predictors of good adherence to medication includedbeing male(adjusted odds ratio [AOR]:2.08; 95% confidence interval [CI]:1.12–3.85), having been on anti-retroviral medications for more than 5 years (AOR:1.92; 95% CI: 1.17–3.16), the non-consumption of alcohol(AOR: 3.67; 95% CI: 2.01–6.70),not usingtraditional medicine (AOR: 2.76; 95% CI:1.33–5.73) and having a baseline CD4count exceeding 500 cells/μl (AOR: 5.67; 95% CI: 1.32–24.32).Adequate retention was predicted by being resident in the urban area (AOR: 1.90; 95% CI: 1.17–3.06). Being away from home (41.8%) and forgetfulness (35.0%) were reported as the major reasons for missing medication.ConclusionThe rates of adherence and retention found in this study were similar to those reported forother resource-limited settings. Health education and behavioural modification interventions should be intensified to reduce the consumption of alcohol and the use of traditional medicine by people living with HIV. Identifying other factors may help to design effective strategies to ensure that people living with HIV adhere to their medications and remain in care.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document