HIV-assoziierte Diskriminierung: Eine Situationsanalyse in Sachsen

Introduction: The number of persons living with an HIV-infection or AIDS in Germany at the end of 2015 was estimated to be 84.700 by the Robert Koch Institute. These persons are still in danger of being discriminated or stigmatized in all areas of life, despite continuing and elaborate educational work. The aim of this short report is the detection of HIV-associated discrimination in the areas work and health. Methods: A branch of the "Aidshilfe"-association in Saxony was contacted for interview partners (three persons living with HIV/AIDS, three experts (employees of the "Aidshilfe")), who participated in standardized interviews. The interviews were recorded and transcribed according to Kuckartz et al. (2008). All six interviews were structured and analyzed according to Mayring (2008). Results: Interviewees were able to report discriminatory situations at the workplace and in the context of the health system. At the workplace these situations referred to the reliability and productivity of the HIV-positive employees; in the health care system, these situations were associated with an alleged personal negligence and the distorted perception of contagiousness. The interview partners described measures for discriminators as well as the persons being discriminated, in order to address this result. Conclusions: Despite many and continuous public campaigns, persons living with HIV still experience discrimination and rejection at the workplace and in the health care system. Additional measures are warranted - especially in central areas of life like the workplace and the health care system.