title: HIV and AIDS stigma violates human rights in five African countries.
abstract: The situation and human rights of people living with HIV and AIDS were explored through focus groups in five African countries (Lesotho, Malawi, South Africa, Swaziland and Tanzania). A descriptive qualitative research design was used. The 251 informants were people living with HIV and AIDS, and nurse managers and nurse clinicians from urban and rural settings. NVivo software was used to identify specific incidents related to human rights, which were compared with the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. The findings revealed that the human rights of people living with HIV and AIDS were violated in a variety of ways, including denial of access to adequate or no health care/services, and denial of home care, termination or refusal of employment, and denial of the right to earn an income, produce food or obtain loans. The informants living with HIV and AIDS were also abused verbally and physically. Country governments and health professionals need to address these issues to ensure the human rights of all people.
authors.affiliation: School of Nursing, Muhimbili University, College of Health Sciences, PO Box 65004, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania. tkohi@muchs.ac.tz
authors.forename: Thecla W
authors.initials: TW
authors.lastname: Kohi
authors.forename: Lucy
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Makoae
authors.forename: Maureen
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Chirwa
authors.forename: William L
authors.initials: WL
authors.lastname: Holzemer
authors.forename: Deliwe René
authors.initials: DR
authors.lastname: Phetlhu
authors.forename: Leana
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Uys
authors.forename: Joanne
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Naidoo
authors.forename: Priscilla S
authors.initials: PS
authors.lastname: Dlamini
authors.forename: Minrie
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Greeff
mesh_terms: D000163:Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome / Q000523:psychology; D000328:Adult; D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D001294:Attitude to Health; D003906:Developing Countries; D004651:Employment; D013541:Eswatini; D005260:Female; D017144:Focus Groups; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000523:psychology*; D006297:Health Services Accessibility; D006806:Human Rights / Q000523:psychology*; D006801:Humans; D007927:Lesotho; D008295:Malawi; D008297:Male; D009718:Nurse Administrators / Q000523:psychology; D009720:Nurse Clinicians / Q000523:psychology; D015404:Nursing Methodology Research; D011287:Prejudice; D036301:Qualitative Research; D013019:South Africa; D013240:Stereotyping; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D013636:Tanzania