A stigma index survey by and for people living with HIV to be conducted

71 inquiry agents will conduct the survey called stigma Index and 1272 people living with HIV will be inquired in the whole country-by Diane Uwimana

The survey will be conducted by and for people living with VIH from different associations such as RPB+, Capes+, Burundi Network of Women living with HIV, RNJ+ and BUNERELA. It will be funded by “ONUSIDA” UNO Against HIV in Burundi. The HIV National Reference Center “CNR” will supervise the survey.

According to Dr Evelyne Baramperanye, from “CNR”, indicates that the center has been recommended to run the survey in order to readjust the generic protocol to the current situation. “We want to measure the discrimination and stigma degree among people living with HIV in Burundi,” says Dr Baramperanye. She goes on saying that the results will allow them to promote the lives of people living with HIV. “The program is created by and for people living with the virus. During the survey, they are going to discuss confidentially”, she adds.

In addition, the result will facilitate the Ministry in Charge of Public Health and Fighting against HIV/AIDS to take measures to reduce the speed of spreading the virus and its risks. “We have realized that efforts made by people living with HIV should be broken due to stigma and discrimination”, notices Dr Evelyne Baramperanye.
For her, not only the survey results will benefit people living with HIV, but also the whole Burundian community.

“Stigma and discrimination already exist”

According to Cédric Nininahazwe, the Deputy Chairman of Burundian Network of Youths living with HIV (RNJ+) and Consultant during the three-day training, the results will both show

According to Cédric Nininahazwe,the results will both show and talk much about the already existing stigma. ©iwacu

an d talk much about the already existing stigma. “For instance, when young people are living in families, they are not treated like other healthy people. There is always a kind of carelessness. Those who try to care for them discriminate them ignorantly”, explains Nininahazwe.

Moreover, orphans are also stigmatized because there are some of their family members who want to usurp their belongings. Indeed, adult people are discriminated by insurance companies as they are compelled to reveal their medical status. “They also discriminate themselves thinking that they are good-for-nothing”, regrets Nininahazwe. For him, the survey will help people living with HIV to build their capacity because it will be conducted among them.