Consequences of Labeling the Women Suffering from HIV positive and Corresponding Stigma: A Qualitative Study

HIV considerably weakens the immune system of the body, and the person suffering from it can no longer tackle infectious diseases. Characteristics of this disease such as its quick transmission and propagation fear of disclosure, and attempting to hide it has changed it to a social problem. From the outset of the introduction of AIDS, women have been labeled accordingly so much and have experienced considerable discriminations. The present study examines the social consequences of the stigma and labeling on the women suffering from HIV positive infection, using a qualitative approach. Through semi-structured interviews, it has been tried to describe the interviewees’ mental world. From Tehran Positive Club, ten women aged between 20 and 50, living in Tehran, willing to cooperate with the researcher, and no mental involvement with the issue were selected. The women suffering from HIV positive were infected with the acquired immune deficiency syndrome mainly through two ways; direct acquisition and indirect acquisition. All of the women took adverse consequences of the stigma and labeling from the society. Considering the women suffering from HIV as criminals can be thought of as a label that society associates with them due to lack of awareness. This in turn results in social rejection of these women, who based on their personal experience, try to hide their problem.