Theory question 105
HIV/AIDSSection B: Emerging Issues in the Society
(a) Outline five reasons for which those who tested positive to HIV/AIDS are being discriminated against in the society.
(b) In what five ways does the contraction of HIV/AIDS impact on the socio-economic life of the victim?
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(a) Any five: ignorance about how HIV spreads; fear of infection; belief it is a punishment for immorality; belief it is incurable/a death sentence; religious and cultural beliefs; misinformation; association with prostitution and drug abuse.
(b) Any five: loss of job and income; high medical costs and poverty; stigma and isolation; reduced productivity; school drop-out; family breakdown; depression; early death leaving dependants.
Reasons for stigma in (a); effects on the victim in (b).