Self-Perception of HIV/AIDS Patients in Pakistan

Abstract

In Pakistan, HIV epidemic continues to rise with estimated prevalence of 0.1 % among general population. The infection is concentrated among key populations mainly in people who inject drugs with estimated prevalence of 38.4 %. However now epidemic is shifting from IDUs to sex workers and their clients, men who have sex with men, migrants and transgender. People living with HIV/AIDS experience various challenges beyond physical effects of disease; including drug addiction, social isolation, discrimination, mental illness, and homophobia. In Pakistan estimated 0.133 million people are living with HIV/AIDS and 21,575cases are registered with NACP whereas only 11,541 PLHIVs are getting treatment. The main reason behind huge gap between prevalence and reported HIV/AIDS cases is stigma and discrimination. The present study aimed to investigate cognitive dissonance experienced by patients, knowledge and response of family towards HIV/AIDS, and perception of people regarding acceptable strategies of HIV prevention. By using purposive sampling, researcher conducted 55 in-depth interviews in district Rawalpindi. The result demonstrated that general public show negative attitude towards PLHIV by different actions likewise neglecting, ignoring, and excluding these people from social circle. The main reasons of discrimination are fear of contagion and lack of knowledge & awareness regarding HIV/AIDS. Women are more vulnerable to HIV than men due to low economic status, less decision making power, and less mobility. It was observed by researcher during study that parents and more specifically mothers are more concerned about precautionary measures to prevent their children from HIV.