HIV TESTING

HIV stands for Human Immunodeficiency Virus. A person who is infected with HIV is
said to be HIV positive.

A person becomes infected with HIV in three main ways:

►through unprotected sexual intercourse with a person infected with HIV.

►through direct contact with HIV infected blood.
►from mother to baby during pregnancy, delivery or breast feeding.

HIV attacks a person’s immune system and slowly destroys it, until the body is weak and
unable to defend itself against infections.

WHAT IS ‘AIDS’?

AIDS stands for:

Acquired meaning one gets it from another person.
Immune meaning it affects the body’s immune system.
Deficiency meaning the immune system is weak and cannot defend the body against
infections.
Syndrome meaning a person does not suffer from just one, but from several diseases
and conditions.

AIDS is caused by HIV. Once the immune system is weak, a person easily becomes ill
with various diseases and conditions such as tuberculosis, pneumonia, meningitis,
diarrhea, and skin cancer. People are said to have AIDS when they fall ill often because
their immune systems are very weak due to HIV.

WHAT ARE STIs?

STI stands for Sexually Transmitted Infection. STI’s are infections which are transmitted
from one person to another through unprotected sexual contact. However it is important
remember that some STI’s are also transmitted in other ways. For example, HIV can be
transmitted through contact with the blood of an infected person.

There are over twenty different STI’s. Examples of STI’s include gonorrhoea, syphilis,
HIV, genital herpes, human papilloma virus, hepatitis B, Chlamydia infections, thrush,
and chancroid. Some are caused by bacteria, while others are caused by viruses or fungi.

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HIV TESTING

HIV positive means a person is infected with the virus. HIV negative means the person is
not infected with the virus. In Botswana, people can go for an HIV test at Tebelopele
testing centres, clinics and hospitals.

Below are examples of HIV testing policies: -

► Voluntary testing: Individuals go for testing out of their own free will. Individuals
may be encouraged to test for HIV but they are not forced and are not tested without their
consent.
► Routine testing: This involves automatically testing individuals for HIV when they
use various medical services, for example, pregnant women attending antenatal clinics,
before surgery is performed or when patients present symptoms of certain illnesses such
as tuberculosis and pneumonia.
► Mandatory or compulsory testing: This policy is when individuals are forced by the
law or health regulations to test for HIV. People have to test for HIV whether they want
to or not. When testing is mandatory, usually there are penalties for patients who refuse
to test.

HIV TESTING POLICY IN BOTSWANA

Before 2004, HIV testing was voluntary in Botswana. It was only done upon request by a
patient. The policy was changed in January 2004 and the Routine HIV Testing (RHT)
policy was introduced by the government. The RHT policy required that all patients who
seek medical attention at clinics and hospitals should be tested for HIV, unless the patient
objected or refused.

HIV testing is not mandatory in Botswana as yet because HIV is a human right issue. As
such, the autonomy of patients is still respected. Patients still have the right to opt – out
of routine HIV testing and cannot be punished for refusing to take an HIV test.

The reasons for routine HIV testing are:

▲To reduce the high rates of HIV transmission and the high death rates due to AIDS.

▲To reduce the stigma associated with HIV testing like any other medical procedure.

▲To reduce the number of people who enroll for government supported ARV therapy
when their immune system is too weak to benefit from the drugs.

▲To encourage all pregnant women to test and enroll in Prevention of Mother to Child
Transmission (PMTCT) programme. When a pregnant woman goes to the antenatal clinic
for the first time, she is supposed to be offered counseling and encouraged to test for
HIV. All pregnant women who test HIV positive are supposed to get ARV drugs which
help reduce the risk of transmitting HIV to the unborn child.

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THE NEED OR IMPORTANCE OF KNOWING ONE’S HIV STATUS

People are encouraged to know their HIV status. Your HIV status means whether you are
HIV positive or negative. Knowing one’s HIV status is important for the following
reasons:

a) If individuals think they may have been exposed to the virus, testing can put their
mind at rest. They will know whether or not they are infected. If they are HIV
negative, this may make them more aware about the need to avoid becoming
infected and to do what is necessary to maintain their HIV negative status.
b) Individuals who are HIV positive need to know their status sooner than later
because they will need to make important decisions and may have to change their
behaviour. For example:
 They can make an effort to learn about how to live positively with HIV,
through diet and exercise.
 They may have to start taking ARV therapy before their immune systems
collapse and nothing can be done to save their lives.
 They can take steps to protect their partners by practicing safe sex. This
will help avoid re-infection and transmission of HIV to another person.
 If they want to have a baby, they can adopt measures to ensure that the
baby is not infected with HIV, for example by enrolling in the HIV mother
to child prevention therapy programme.

THE ATTITUDINAL CHANGE IN BOTSWANA TOWARDS HIV TESTING

In the past, many Batswana were reluctant or afraid to go for an HIV test. This
was mainly because:
●HIV positive people were often stigmatized and discriminated against by others,
including employees.
●Many people did not see the need to test because medicines were not available
easily or cheaply to treat HIV until the introduction of free ARV therapy in 2002.
Some believed that knowing your status would make one’s mental state even
worse.
●Public messages about HIV and AIDS such as ‘HIV and AIDS kills’ made some
people reluctant to risk finding out that they had an incurable infection that would
kill them.
●Some people saw HIV as an infection that affected promiscuous people,
foreigners, and homosexuals only therefore they did not see the need to test if
they excluded themselves from these groups.

The attitude of Batswana towards HIV testing has changed. Many now go
voluntarily and regularly for HIV tests. There are several reasons for the change
in attitude towards testing for HIV. Below are some of them.
●The introduction of free ARV therapy in 2002 gave people hope. People now
know that when they test positive, they can receive ARV drugs which can help
reduce the amount of the virus in their bodies and prolong their lives.

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 ●Comprehensive public education about HIV and AIDS issues has now made
many Batswana aware of the importance of testing and knowing one’s status.
Public campaigns now focus on behavioural change and no longer threaten people
with death. People understand the importance of knowing their HIV status.
●The government has opened up Tebelopele HIV testing centres all over the
country. This has made it easier and encouraged people to know their status.
●When some people went public and announced that they were HIV positive,
they encouraged other people to test and know their status. It helped remove the
stigma and fear of testing for HIV.
●The former president of Botswana Mr F.G. Mogae encouraged Batswana to
change their attitude towards HIV testing during his time as president. He
introduced the routine HIV testing policy which helped to remove the fear and the
stigma associated with HIV testing.

THE MORAL IMPLICATIONS OF TRANSMITTING HIV INTENTIONALLY

 Many people accept that intentionally infecting another person with HIV is
wrong conduct for the following reasons:
 It shows a lack of empathy and consideration for others. One may infect many
people who would otherwise remain HIV negative. Attempts to reduce the spread
of HIV would fail.
 HIV infection has serious consequences. It is an incurable infection that can ruin
the other person’s life. The other reason person may become infected with HIV,
develop AIDS and die.
 It shows lack of respect for human life because it puts the life of other person at
risk
 In a sexual relationship, a partner may feel that his / her trust was violated because
they were lied to and deceived
 In many cases it many cases it may be difficult to prove that someone
intentionally transmitted HIV to another person. If there is no proof, it would be
morally wrong to accuse someone of intentionally transmitting HIV to another
person.
 In some countries, for example the United Kingdom and United States f America,
the intentional transmission of HIV has been made a criminal offence. People can
arrested and punished by a court of law if found guilty.

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The moral implications of telling someone about one’s HIV status.

Although HIV is an infectious disease, people are not forced to disclose or tell anyone
about their HIV status. Telling someone about one’s HIV status such as a sexual partner,
spouse, family member, relative, and friend or care giver is a personal choice.

Disclosing one’s HIV status has certain moral implications

- It places a duty on the person who has been told to keep the information
confidential, unless he or she has been given permission to tell others by the
person who disclosed his or her status. Telling others about the person’s HIV
status without permission would be a breach of trust.

- It is easier to disclose one’s status, if one is HIV negative because being negative
is seen as a good thing.

- If one is HIV positive, it can be a difficult and stressful decision to make. The fear
of stigmatization, rejection and discrimination may make an individual unwilling
or reluctant to disclose his or her status.

If one is HIV, disclosing one’s status

- Can help build trust between you and the person being told
- One may be seen as doing a morally right thing because the information will
enable others to protect themselves. Sexual partners and caregivers can take the
necessary precautions to protect themselves from getting infected.
- Would enable others to show empathy and compassion towards you and to know
how best to help you.
- Means one would feel free to take ARV medicines openly. There would be no
need to hide the drugs due to fear of people finding out that one is HIV positive.
- May encourage behavioural change in order to protect one’s health. A person is
likely to engage in sexually risky behaviour if he or she knows that other people
know that he or she is HIV positive.

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CONSEQUENCES OF HIV AND AIDS

HIV and AIDS affect individuals, families, communities and nations in many different
ways.

EFFECTS ON INDIVIDUALS

 Emotional and mental stress

After testing HIV positive some people get emotionally stressed. This is because no
one likes being infected with HIV. Some many become even more emotionally
stressed. This is because no one likes being infected with HIV. Some may become
even more emotionally stressed when they get AIDS.

 Despair

Some individuals despair as a result of testing HIV positive and may end up behaving
in morally and socially unacceptable ways by engaging for example, in drug and
alcohol abuse, adultery, prostitution and intentional transmission of HIV. Some may
commit suicide

 HIV and AIDS affects a person’s health and may lead to death

HIV makes one to be vulnerable to opportunistic infections. If one is HIV positive

and their immune system is weakened by the virus it may result in AIDS which may
lead death.

 Due to AIDS some individuals become less productive at work

AIDS patients can become less productive because they are sick. Some may end up
losing their jobs because of this.

 The individual may be isolated and discriminated

They may suffer stigmatization which may lead to having low self esteem and low
self confidence.

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FAMILIES

Below are ways in which HIV and AIDS may affect the families of individuals who
are infected with HIV and AIDS.

 Relatives may become emotionally stressed

People do not wish for members of their family to be infected with HIV or to get sick
of having AIDS. Having an AIDS patient at home may be emotionally stressed
because family members may have fear that the patient would die.

 Loss of bread winners

Some bread winners may die and leave their families in poverty. This may result in
other social problems such as prostitution and crime

 Increase of orphans in the family

When both parents die children become orphans and relatives may have to assume the
responsibility of taking care of the orphans. This may also result in child headed
households.

 Change the social status of a family

A wife can become a widow; a husband may become a widower and if both parents
die children become orphans.

 Divorce

If one spouse is HIV positive, while the other is HIV negative, this can lead to
tensions in the marriage. The spouse who is HIV negative may accuse the one who is
positive of being unfaithful and may decide to end the marriage .If both husband and
wife are positive, they may blame each other for being the source of the infection.
This too can lead to divorce.

 Family can become poorer

Taking care of a patient can be costly because family members may have to spend
money visiting their patient at the hospital, and buying food and drugs for the sick
person. The family may have little or no money left to pay for other needs and
projects.

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CONSEQUENCES OF HIV AND AIDS ON THE COMMUNITIES AND THE
NATION

HIV and AIDS affect communities and the nation in many ways.

 It creates a problem of orphan hood for the community and nation

If relatives are unable or are not willing to take care of the orphans, the community
and nation in which the orphans come from will have to help. The orphans would
have to be taken to an orphanage which the community and the nation would be
expected to support. Some orphans may end up living on the streets.

 It results in loss of skilled and well educated people

In Botswana the government spends a lot of money in educating and equipping

people with skills. When such people die the government will have to spend more
money in training more people to acquire such skills and levels of education

 It has a negative effect on the country’s economy and’ development

The government of Botswana spends a lot of money on buying the ARV drugs, which
are given to AIDS patients for free. This then has a negative impact on the country’s
economy and it slows its developments. If many people in the country are sick it can
affect the productivity of a nation and lowers the economy and slows the
development.

 It can lead to loss of investor confidence

If a country has a high rate of transmission and infection of HIV, investors can lose
confidence and may fear to invest in such a country. They may think that they too can
get infected or that there is less productivity in the country.

 It can decrease the population of a country

Countries with low population such as Botswana may experience this problem if the
death rate is high and the birth rate is low.

WAYS OF LIVING POSITIVELY WITH HIV

People who are infected with HIV are encouraged to live positively. Living positively
with HIV, means accepting one’s status and doing everything possible to stay healthy.
Below are some of the ways of living positively with HIV.

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  Having a positive attitude
Having a positive attitude involves accepting one’s HIV positive status and being
hopeful about the future. One does not feel that being HIV positive is a death
sentence. Instead, one sees it as a chronic condition that can be through taking the
appropriate medication, diet, and exercise.

 Eating a healthy and balanced diet

Meals containing all the necessary nutrients help to booth a person’s immune system.
One should have balanced meals that have all the nutrients the body needs to stay
healthy. An HIV positive should eat foods from all the food groups: carbohydrates
that give energy, protein for body building, and vitamins that protect the body from
various diseases and conditions.

 Exercising
It can help the individual to relieve stress and to keep fit. Exercise can help boost the
immune system.

 Getting enough rest

It is important for an HIV positive person to get enough rest because it allows the
body to recover from stress and fatigue one may be feeling. A well rested body helps
the immune system to function properly.

 Living in a clean environment

A clean environment is good for one’s health because it reduces the risk of getting
certain infections such as malaria, and diarrhoea

 Using a condom when having sex

Using a condom when having sex protects one from getting re- infection and
transmitting the virus to another person.

 Early treatment of infection

Infections and ailments should be treated as early as possible so that they do not make
the immune system to collapse.

 Adherence to ARV therapy instructions

Those on ARV therapy should adhere to instructions on how and when to take the
medication and go for regular checkups. This helps to monitor their health.

 Avoiding alcohol, cigarettes and illegal drugs

Intoxicants such as alcohol, cigarettes and illegal drugs reduce the effectiveness of
ARV drugs on a person’s body and weaken the immune system. Taking illegal drugs
and alcohol can lead to engage in sex without a condom and discontinuing the ARV
treatment.

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THE CAPACITY TO ADOPT HIV RISK PREVENTION MEASURES

The capacity to adopt HIV risk prevention measures means the ability of individuals
or groups of people to use the HIV risk prevention measures. There are various
measures that people can use to prevent or reduce the risk of, becoming infected with
HIV. Some of these measures are as follows

-Using surgical gloves when attending to an injured person who is bleeding

-Having one sexual partner and being faithful to him or her
-Using a condom every time when having sexual intercourse
- Male circumcision
- Sexual abstinence

Using surgical gloves when attending an injured person

One way in which HIV is transmitted is through contact with blood. This is why it is
necessary to use surgical gloves when attending an injured person in order to reduce
the risk of being infected with HIV. People should not attend to a bleeding person
with bare hands.

Having one sexual partner and being faithful to him or her

Having one sexual partner at a time and being faithful to him or her can help to
reduce the risk of being infected with HIV. Having multiple concurrent partners
increase the risk of being infected with HIV.

Using a condom every time when having sexual intercourse

It is generally accepted and known that condoms help prevent the spread of HIV.
The capacity to use condoms to protect oneself from the risk of becoming infected
with HIV depends on a number of factors such as:-
 Gender power relations
In most societies, men are accepted as the leaders and decision makers in sexual
matters. Women are socialized not to question the decisions mad by men, especially
their husbands. As a result, many women, especially married women, find it difficult
to negotiate the use of condoms even if they know that their partner is unfaithful.
 Availability and affordability of condoms
For people to use condoms to prevent transmission of HIV, they should be available
and affordable. In Botswana, condoms are provided for free in all government clinics
and health posts. They are also available in many shops and places of work. People
therefore should be able to use condoms all the time to protect themselves against
HIV.

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  Knowing and understanding the proper use of condoms
Sometimes the capacity to adopt this HIV prevention measure is hindered by luck of
knowledge and understanding of the proper use of condoms. They may use them
incorrectly and unknowingly put themselves at risk of getting HIV.
 Ability to negotiate the use of condoms with a sexual partner
People who are unable to negotiate the use of a condom with a sexual partner may
end up not using a condom when not using having sex which may expose
them to the risk of being infected with HIV. For example, young girls who have
sexual relationships with older men may not be able to persuade their sexual
partners to use condoms because they are sexually inexperienced.

Prevention of mother to child Transmission (PMTCT) programme

The PMTCT programme is a measure adopted by the Botswana government to

prevent HIV transmission from mothers to their children during pregnancy, delivery
and through breast feeding. The programme encourages pregnant women to test for
HIIV. Those who test positive are encouraged to enroll in the PMTCT programme
and receive medicines that help reduce the risk of the baby being infected with HIV.

The capacity to adopt this HIV risk prevention measure depends on pregnant women:
-understanding the importance of enrolling for the programme
-being willing to test for HIV

Male circumcision
Nowadays, male circumcision is believed to be effective in reducing men’s risk of
being infected with HIV. In Botswana, men are being encouraged to go for
circumcision to protect themselves against HIV infection.

The capacity to adopt this HIV prevention measure depends on:

 Men accepting evidence that circumcision offers protection against HIV

Only those people who understand the importance of circumcision are able to adopt
circumcision as an HIV prevention measure. Those who do not understand its
importance are not capable of adopting it as an HIV prevention measure.

 Men’s willingness to be circumcised

Circumcision is an individual’s choice. People who are willing to circumcise will
adopt it, while those who are not, will not adopt circumcision as an HIV prevention
measure.

 Age of the person

Children cannot be circumcised without their parents consent. A child whose parents do
not request or consent to circumcision will remain uncircumcised. Only adult males can
make the decision to be circumcised on their own.

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 UNDERSTANDING ARV THERAPY and ITS EFFECTS
WHAT IS ANTI RETROVIRAL THERAPY?

ARV stands for Anti Retro Viral. ARV therapy means using ARV drugs to treat
infections caused by retroviruses such as HIV. ARV’s do not kill the virus or cure HIV
and AIDS in the body. They only suppress or slow down the growth of HIV in the body.
The lower the amount of HIV in the body (viral load), the stronger a person’s immune
system can be and as a result, the body is better able to fight off infections that may lead
to AIDS.
Usually ARV therapy involves using three different kinds of ARV drugs at the same
time. This is known as combination therapy. A patient may be given one pill which
contains the different drugs or may take three different pills. Each type of drug fights
HIV in a different way. This makes combination therapy more effective than taking one
type of drug when treating HIV.

Requirements to start ARV therapy

Before an HIV positive person can start receiving ARV treatment, they have to meet
certain requirements. It is important to note that the requirements may change as new
ARV drugs are introduced and as our understanding of HIV and AIDS improves.
Different countries may also have different requirements as to when patients should start
ARV treatment in that country. However, most countries follow guidelines given by the
World Health Organisation (WHO).

In Botswana, currently the requirements to start ARV treatment are as follows.

 CD4 count test

CD4 cells are white blood cells which protect the body against infections. CD4 count test
is a test in which one’s white blood cells are counted. Healthy people are expected to
have a CD4 count of about 800 – 1000. Currently if a person’s Cd4 count is 250 or
below the person’s immune system is considered weak and will qualify to start ARV
treatment. In the past, to qualify for ARV treatment, the CD4 count had to be 200 or
below.

 Viral load test

The viral load test measures the amount of HIV in the body. The higher the viral load the
weaker the immune system. The viral load is checked to ensure that the correct dosage of
ARV drugs is given.

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  Treating other infections first

Before ARV treatment begins, people who have tested HIV positive are normally tested
and treated for infections such as tuberculosis and other sexual transmitted infections
first. This ensures that they are as healthy as possible before they start taking ARVs.

 HIV positive pregnant women

Pregnant women who are HIV positive and use ante – natal services offered at
government hospitals and clinics are encouraged to enrol in the Prevention of Mother to
Child Transmission programme. They receive ARVs that help to prevent transmission of
the virus to the baby during pregnancy and delivery.

 Counselling

A person should receive counselling before enrolling on the therapy. The purpose of
counselling is to:

 Provide knowledge and understanding of the Arv therapy. For example,

patients will be advised about what to eat, the need for exercises and the
need to avoid certain foods, drinks and medicine.

 Ensure the patient understands the importance of adhering to instructions

of how and when to take ARV medication.

 Advice the person about the importance of coming for regular checkups at
the clinic or hospital.

 Encouragement them to have a positive attitude and to live positively.

The effects of the ARV medication on the person

All medicines, including ARVs affect the body in different ways, some positive others
negative. Below are the effects of the ARV medication on the person taking them.

The positive effects

 It controls the viral load in the body

ARV medication slows down the growth rate of HIV in the body. It
prevents the virus from reproducing and this slows down the damage HIV
causes to a person’s immune system. The CD4 count increases resulting
in a person’s improving.

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  It can prolong a person’s life

An improvement in a person’s immune system due to ARVs, in turn

results ia a person’s health improving. The person is likely to live longer
than they would have if they did not take ARVs.

 It can help a person to re gain self esteem

Some people lose self esteem when they test HIV positive. The ARV
medication helps them to recover and to re – gain self esteem. The Masa
ARV therapy is called ‘the new dawn’ because it gives HIV positive
people the hope of continuing to live.

 It can help a person regain their health and become productive again

After enrolling on ARV therapy the person can become well enough
again, to work and become productive.

The negative effects of ARV medication on a person

ARV medication, like all drugs have negative effects even if they are not taken correctly.
Below are some of the negative side effects of ARV on a person’s body:
 Muscle pain

 Skin rashes

 Tiredness

 Persistent headaches

 Nausea

 Abnormal menstruation patterns

 Numbness in the hands and feet

The effects of intoxicants on ARV therapy

Intoxicants are substances which when taken can make a person drunk or produce
feelings of pleasure. Intoxicants affect a person’s mental and physical abilities. As a
result taking intoxicants can result in confusion and loss of self – control.
Examples of intoxicants are alcohol and illegal drugs such as marijuana, cocaine,
mandrax and heroin.
Intoxicants have negative effects on ARV therapy. Below are some of the effects of
intoxicants on the ARV therapy.

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  Intoxicants make ARV drug less effective

Using illegal drugs and alcohol make the ARV drugs less effective. As a result,
the immune system remains weak.

 Patients may fail to adhere to instructions on how and when to take the
medication.

When taking ARV drugs, it is very important to follow the doctors’ instructions
on how and when to take them. For example ARV treatment has to be taken
every day at the same time for it to be effective. Intoxicants can make a patient
forget to take the medication or taking it at the wrong time.

 Intoxications can lead one to make bad decisions

When ARV positive people are under the influence of intoxications they may
engage in unprotected sex and get re – infections. Some patients may decide to
stop the treatment altogether.

The importance of telling a family member about one’s HIV status

People are encouraged to inform a family member that they trust for example, a spouse, a
parent, an aunt, an uncle, a sibling or a guardian about their HIV status.

Telling a family member about one’s status is important for the following reasons;
 Telling someone can be emotionally relieving, especially if one is HIV positive.
Knowing that one is HIV positive and not telling anyone can be very stressful.

 One would have atleast one family member to turn to for emotional support.

 If the HIV positive person has AIDS, the family member who knows about one’s
status can become a care giver. He or she will know how to care for the person
properly without putting himself or herself at risk of becoming infected.

 Informing a family member about one’s HIV status can encourage the family
members to test for HIV if he or she has not already tested.

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ATTITUDE TOWARDS PEOPLE LIVING WITH HIV/ AIDS

Moral values that can be used to develop a positive attitude towards people with
AIDS

Values are the ideas, beliefs and things that are important to people. Moral values are the
values that are concerned with right or good behaviour or actions. Some of the examples
of moral values which can help us develop a positive attitude towards people living with
AIDS include;

Empathy

Empathy is the ability to put oneself in another person’s situation and imagine how he or
she is feeling. People living with AIDS may be in pain and unable to care for themselves.
Empathy would enable us to understand their suffering and needs. If we have empathy
we are able likely to be more willing to help others.

Compassion

Compassion is a deep feeling of sympathy for those who are suffering and the desire to
help them. It is necessary to treat people living with AIDS compassionately because this
will make them feel that other people care about them. Having a feeling of compassion
can make people turn their feelings of sympathy into action.

They can encourage them to be generous by offering practical help to those living with
HIV/AIDS for example, by visiting them regularly, donating food and ensuring that they
are receiving the medical care they need.

Generosity

Generosity is the willingness to give and to share what one has. There are many ways of
being generous towards those living with HIV/AIDS. This includes donating food,
clothes or money. It is important to be generous to those living with AIDS because it
shows that we care.

Caring

Caring means to feel affection or love, and concern for somebody or something. We need
to care for those living with HIV/AIDS. WE can show that we care in various ways such
as cleaning, washing and cooking for them as well as visiting them regularly when they
are not feeling well.

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Respect

Respect means to admire someone or to treat someone with courtesy and dignity. HIV
positive people deserve respect because having the virus does not make them less human.
They have the same rights as like everyone else. We can show respect to people living
with HIV/AIDS in various ways such as respecting their privacy by not gossiping about
their HIV status and speaking to them politely.

THE IMPORTANCE OF HAVING A COMPASSIONATE ATTITUDE

HIV/POSITVE PEOPLE

It encourages them to accept their status

If we show compassion to HIV positive people, they are more likely to live positively. If
we are compassionate, we will not stigmatize them. This will encourage them to accept
their status and if need be they will willingly enroll for ARV therapy.

It makes them feel accepted

A compassionate attitude makes them feel that other people accept them in spite of their
HIV status. Lack of compassion would make them feel like social rejects and it may
make them to despair. Their desperation can lead them to risky behaviours such as drug
and alcohol abuse. They make even think of for example, stopping taking their
medication, dropping out of school or committing suicide.

It boosts their self esteem

Testing HIV can lower persons self esteem. When people show compassion to those who
are HIV positive, it can boosts their self esteem because they will feel that others still
love and value them.

It may encourage hem to join the fight against HIV & AIDS

A Compassionate attitude can encourage those living with HIV to educate others about
HIV prevention and to live positively with the virus.

WAYS IN WHICH HIV POSITIVE PEOPLE ARE TREATED BY DIFFERRENT

SOCIAL STRUCTURES

There are different social structures in a Botswana, for example the family schools,
religious groups, clinics, and hospitals and the workplace.

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The Family

Nowadays, many families are very caring and supportive of their members who are HIV
positive. Below are examples of ways in which families treat their relatives who are HIV
positive.

 They do not stigmatize family members who are HIV positive. They help them to
continue having positive attitude towards life.
 They respect their rights to privacy by keeping their HIV positive status
confidential.
 When HIV positive person is ill, they will make sure that they get the care and
medical attention.
 They do not blame them for becoming infected with HIV. Instead they provide
emotional support and encourage them to accept their status.

However in some families, members who test HIV positive are treated badly. For
example

 They may be accused of becoming infected because they are promiscuous and a
disgrace to the family. As a result, family members may be unwilling to support
and care for the relative who is positive.
 Some family members may not respect their relative s right to privacy and
confidentiality by disclosing their HIV positive status to other people.
 Husbands or wives may divorce their spouses or start ill treating them when their
spouses test positive. This is because the most common way through which HIV
is transmitted is through unprotected sex therefore they will feel that their spouses
were unfaithful.

Schools
 Learners who are HIV positive should be given special care and attention by the
school. For example, through the guidance and counseling department learners are
offered counseling to help them cope with their status.
 Staff members are required to respect the privacy and confidentiality of the HIV
positive status of learners and other staff members.
 Students and members of staff should be allowed regular checkups. However just
like any other person they are expected to follow all the proper channels of
seeking for permission.
 Learners who are HIV positive have the right to attend school lessons and take
part in school activities like any other learners. They should not be discriminated
against. However just like any other social group, there may be some individuals
who discriminate against people that they know are HIV positive. For example
some may:
 Not be willing to sit to someone whom they have heard is HIV positive
 Disclose the HIV status of people they know are HIV positive without their
consent. This is a violation of the person s right to privacy.

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The work place

Mostly HIV positive people are not discriminated against at the work place. Nowadays
workers are encouraged to form HIV and AIDS committees which organize workshops to
teach people about HIV and AIDS issues. They are encouraged to be compassionate
towards people who have HIV.

Nowadays many employees are supportive to their employees. For example:

 Some employers run wellness programmes which encourage their employees to
adopt a healthy life style. Others provide free ARV therapy o their employees
who are HIV positive and have developed AIDS.
 Co-workers show kindness and compassion by visiting their colleagues who are
hospitalized. They may contribute money and buy their colleague some fruits and
vegetables

However some employees still experience discrimination and violation of their rights due
to their HIV status. For example
 Some employees may be dismissed from work after disclosing their HIV status to
their employers.
 Individual employees may discriminate against those who are HIV positive.

Religious groups

These are different religious groups in Botswana. Below are some ways in which HIV
positive people are treated in most places of worship

 Many religious groups do not discriminate against people who are HIV positive.
Followers are encouraged to treat them with love, compassion and respect.
 They are given emotional and spiritual support. For example they can be prayed
for, encouraged to have faith and avoid despairing.
 They may be given material support, for example religious groups may donate
money, food, and clothes to organizations that support HIV positive.

Clinics and hospitals

 They are given emotional support through counselling.

 They are treated with respect. Patient’s HIV positive status is kept confidential
from other patients.
 They are given guidance on how to lead healthy and positive life.
 They are given regular medical check ups

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