February 08, 2021
Stigma blights lives of Maori with HIV
Māori people living with HIV were more likely to struggle with their mental health, less likely to receive support, and more likely to struggle to meet basic living needs than non-Māori with HIV.
Those are some of the findings of a study of 37 Māori who participated in the HIV Stigma Index survey.
Support organization Te Whāriki Takapou says there has been no improvement since the first national HIV/AIDS hui in Auckland over 25 years ago.
Participants reported their ability to work, to form close relationships with whānau and friends, to disclose they were living with HIV, to gain accommodation, and to access health services were all affected by the verbal abuse and discrimination they experienced as a consequence of living with HIV.
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