AN EXPLORATION OF VICARIOUS STIGMATIZATION CONFRONTED BY HIV/AIDS PATIENTS

Abstract

HIV/AIDS is one of the growing social problems in Pakistan. The menace of HIV/AIDS has
consequences on micro as well as macro level. Social stigma is an important aspect while
considering the impact of HIV/AIDS on individual and communal level (micro and macro).
Vicarious stigma (as conceptualized by Steward et al., 2008) is a type of social stigma whereby
an individual become a subject of discussion and part of stories due to status of being an
HIV/AIDS positive person. Framed under qualitative research design, the current study is an
exploration of vicarious stigma confronted by HIV/AIDS positive persons. The study has been
conducted in District Malakand and Dir Lower, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan. Sampling for
the study has been done purposively whereby 7 HIV/AIDS positive individuals were
interviewed. The collected information has been transcribed, narrated and linked with
literature in order to extract findings. Findings of the study reveal that HIV/AIDS positive
individuals are stigmatized frequently. Vicarious stigmatization is also a common event for
HIV/AIDS positive individuals. HIV/AIDS positive individuals are subject of stories and
discussion within family, friends and public.