Dealing with the problem of HIV stigma

Thursday, 29th November 2007

The case of Anna, 32, is a recent case of extreme HIV and AIDS stigma. For the past three months, Concern has been providing supportive counseling, medication and nutritional care for her and her four children abandoned by immediate relatives.

“I was married for over twelve years and have four children. I used to sell at the Waterside Market in Monrovia as a petty trader. As I look back at my life, I cannot say for sure that I really knew my husband. He died two years back of unknown illness. He was sick, off-and-on, for a long time but did not inform me exactly what was happening to him until his death in 2006. I observed that he was taking a particular medication that I couldn’t figure out what it was. This continued for the past four years; it was not known until I became sick and was diagnosed HIV positive in 2007 at the ELWA Hospital and placed on the same medication that I realized that my husband had died of AIDS.

“It is very frustrating. Before I was diagnosed HIV positive, I and the children lived with my aunt after the death of my husband. She cared a lot about us. We stayed with her for six months until my health also began to fail gradually. No one knew exactly what was happening to me and I did not know either. At first, we all thought my illness was due to stress associated with my husband’s death. As my health continued to deteriorate, my aunt and my children decided to take me to the hospital for treatment. I consented to do the HIV test as part of the process of helping the doctor find the cause of my continual illness. I received counseling before taking the test. When asked who I would like to tell about my status in case the test is positive, I recommended my aunt, believing that she loves me and would not mind to give me the necessary support I would need to cope with the problem. After the test was conducted, I was sent to the counselor and was told that I was HIV positive. I least expected the problem of stigma.
“The news that I was HIV positive was a very heartbreaking one for me. I was afraid and very confused. I did not know what I should do or where I should start from. My children, what will become of them? They need me since they are all underage. I am grateful to the ELWA Hospital Counseling Department that is helping me work though these stressful moments, providing encouragement, medication, care and support.

“It took me two months to be able to disclose my status to my aunt. It took this long because I was still confused and tried to organise myself and think of how to approach the issue. The counselor tried to explain to me what the possible consequences would be. I still felt that I could trust my aunt. When I told her finally, I could see the fear that overtook her. Everything about her and her love for me and the children totally changed. I was told to leave the house that very night. I didn’t know where to go. My husband is dead. I thought of other relatives but couldn’t trust them; they had already started to abandon me before I became diagnosed HIV positive. They were never supportive of me doing my ailment. I couldn’t trust them now.

“So the only possible person I could think of was the counselor. My children and I arrived at her house around 10:00pm. We came along with the little personal belongings we could lay our hands on that night. She received us for the night and the next day we went to my aunt house. Counselors of the ELWA Hospital accompanied us. Upon our arrival, my things were on fire and almost all the community members were present, discussing me. It was an embarrassing moment. Members of the community pleaded with the counselors to take me away, accusing me of being a witch.

“I was left with only one option after that incident, to relocate myself completely. This was a difficult period. With the help of the ELWA Hospital Counseling Department, I was able to relocate myself into a camp for displaced people in the VOA area where I moved into one of the deserted structures. The Counseling Department visits me regularly and helps me with food aid, medications, care, and counseling support. As I am sickly, my 10 years old daughter is my main care provider. With no husband to help with the children, and I have lost all my business money and the strength to get started again, my only hope now is God. I do not know why this should happen to me, but I leave it to God.”

Anna is gradually responding to treatment. She attends the hospital’s support group meetings where psychosocial group therapy is offered.

• Return to the main Liberia HIV stigma page
• Return to World AIDS Day page

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