The stigmatization of people living with HIV/AIDS in the Czech Republic (from their own perspective)

Abstract

The issue of HIV/AIDS is on the front burner in the Czech Republic because the number of newly diagnosed cases has been rising dramatically. One of the essential problems is late diagnosis of the disease. Another typical trend is longer life expectancy for those with HIV, including people with HIV who live to retirement age or start a family. HIV/AIDS is considered to be a so-called stigmatizing disease. In this context, there is no scientific evidence of the social impacts of the disease that could serve as a basis for social assistance provided to this target group. This article offers partial results of a qualitative research conducted in 2016. It deals with the phenomenon of stigmatization from the perspective of people living with HIV/AIDS in the Czech Republic, and considers it to be a social consequence of HIV-positivity. Data collection was based on the techniques of an in-depth semi-structured interview, observation, and two focus groups with people living with HIV/AIDS. Data analysis made use of the method of social constructionist grounded theory (described by K. Charmaz) and altogether it comprised 11 testimonies of people living with HIV/AIDS and 2 other relevant persons. The research results (which are framed by Goffman's theory of stigma) proved that stigmatization is a key issue for the respondents and that in their opinion, stigma related to HIV/AIDS significantly affects the lives of HIV-positive people.