Topic 13: HIV/AIDS & Mental Health
OUTLINE
Introduction
HAMP ACT and related Policy/policies
Definition of HIV/AIDS
Causes of HIV/AIDS
Modes of Transmission
Medication
Challenges
Mental/Physical Stress related to Illness
Dilemmas of HIV/AIDS
Conclusion
Introduction
Globally development organisations now
turn to policy influence and advocacy
work in HIV/AIDS for management and
prevention to create sustainable
communities.
The increase/prevalence of HIVAIDS in
our midst trigger the desire to look for
alternatives to monitor and evaluate
changes.
Formulation of policies and programs.
PAPUA NEW GUINEA
Impacts of HIV/AIDS 2005-2025
• a generalised epidemic with over 500,000 people
living with HIV
• HIV prevalence of over 10% of the adult population
300,000 adult deaths
• 117,000 children will have lost their mothers to AIDS
What is the HAMP ACT (2003)
HIV/AIDS Management and Prevention Act
(2003)
supports prevention initiatives on the spread of
HIV/AIDS
protects the rights of PLHIV and vulnerable
groups
empowers Courts to impose penalties for
breach of the Act ((monetary fines, jail terms or
both)
prohibits mandatory HIV testing
The HAMP Act (2003)
makes it unlawful to stigmatize or discriminate
against a person on the grounds that the person is
infected or affected by HIV/AIDS
safeguards confidentiality
empowers affected persons to seek redress from
the Court
The HAMP Act also criminalizes transmission
Policy in Place
National HIV/AIDS Strategy 2011-2015
HIV and AIDS POLICY for the NATIONAL
EDUCATION SYSTEM 2012- 2016
POLICY FOR MANAGING HIV & AIDS IN THE
WORKPLACE – National Planning and Monitoring
Department
Catholic Church of PNG HIV/AIDS Policy Manual
Definition of HIV/AIDS
HIV – Human Immunodeficiency Virus
AIDS - Acquired Immune deficiency Syndrome
How can you tell if someone has HIV?
Modes of Transmission
HIV is transmitted through unprotected
sexual acts which include;
Sexual Intercourse with multiple partners.
Blood Products
Sharing of Needles, blades, tooth brushes
Mother to child transmission ( child birth
or breast feeding- village setting)
Incidences of Group sex (rape)
Incidences where man have sex with
man
Incidences of Abuse.
Medication & Other treatment
Medication _ availability of anti - retroviral
Drugs/ Therapy
Self Care – holistic approach (Whole new
mindset and personal responsibility)
Nutrition
Practice Safe sex ( referring to use of
condoms)
Family/community support and care
Psychotherapy/Counselling
Services – Mariestopes, PNG Friends
Foundation & Anglicare PNG & Poro Support
Responding to HIV/AIDS in PNG
Increased HIV testing at health centres and clinics
greatly increased availability of ART drugs
provided by the PNG Government
Condom distribution across the country by the private
sector Business Coalition & Clinics
Commitment to addressing stigma and
discrimination by the Christian Leaders Alliance
Churches already extensively involved and need to
integrate HIV/AIDS into their teaching. The Catholic
Church teaches messages of Hope, Faith & Love (
Simon of Cyrene Centre –POM & Shalom Care Centre,
Banz and
Project funding and/or technical support from
international organisations like the World Health
Organization, Clinton Foundation, & UN Organizations
Challenges in the face of HIV/AIDS &
Mental Health
Papua New Guinea has a total of 841 listed
languages, a land mass of 462 840 km2, and is
divided into 22 provinces, 89 districts and 4
regions. Each of the districts is subdivided into
local-level government (LLG) areas and these in
turn are divided into wards. In line with the
Organic Law on Provincial and Local Level
Government, the Government established District
Development Authorities (DDAs) in 2015
Introduction of Intravenous Drug Injection- other
drugs in the country
Challenges – HIV/AIDS & Mental
Health
HIV tends to be concentrated in highly
vulnerable, marginalized and stigmatized
populations-sex workers, men who have sex with
men, drug users and prisoners have higher levels.
Increased psychological distress/Burden
higher rates of depression/anxiety in HIV-positive
suicide or attempted suicide & feelings of
hopelessness
Direct impact on Central Nervous System –
Neuropsychiatric Complication, HIV
encephalopathy, depression, mania,
cognitive disorder, and frank dementia,
Dilemmas of HIV/AIDS
Myths
Discrimination & Stigma
Confidentiality & Privacy of Ones HIV
Status
Should I or should I not expose my status?
Should I tell my wife/husband/partner?
How does the community react to
someone with HIV Status?
What happens to the orphan children of
both parents who have passed on
because of AIDS?
Conclusion
Overall there is lack of Advocacy and Awareness on
HIV/AIDS Management Act 2003
NACS future is uncertain
HIV/AIDS will be a part of our society and
we as a country needs to finds ways to
manage this - at most the individual level
Conclusion
developing countries like PNG carry more than
90% of the burden of HIV/AIDS
little information about the interaction between
HIV/AIDS and mental health is available
Support is needed for research in mental Health,
substance use & HIV/AIDS
Further research should investigate service
delivery, cost-effective models of service provision
and the impact of interventions for mental
disorders and substance use on the outcomes of
HIV disease.
Prevention is better than cure
References
The Hamp Act (2003)
National HIV/AIDS Strategy 2011-2015
HIV and AIDS POLICY for the National Education
System 2012- 2016, Education Dept, 2012.
Policy for managing HIV/AIDS in the work place –
National Planning and Monitoring Department
AUS AID 2006, Impact of HIV/AIDS 2005-2025 In
PNG, East Timor & Indonesia , Canberra ACT.