Each and everyone of us is affected by the HIV and AIDS epidemic. In one way or another, we interact with people eho are infected in the society; however, these people fear exposing their status because of stigma.
First, this common blunder of 'accusing' other diseases on a death occasion must quit if at all we are to prevent the rapid spread of the HIV virus. People stand to accuse Tuberculosis, Diabetes, Cancer amongst other deseases in funeral fuctions and this is worsening the situation.
The chances that a man can die of Tuberculosis, and few months later the his wife also dies of a 'ghost' or another imaginary infection are next to zero. Okay, let us say yes, TB is communicable but how can you die only a few months later?
Besides, these other diseases have cure.The hiding of the truth has seen many risk with the HIV victims around the society, resulting to the increased spread rate of HIV and AIDS. For instance, from my village nobody has ever died of any STI (Sexually Transmitted Infection) yet, the death rate is worrying. Is this possible?
Possibly, we are fearing stigma but we are tha agents of stigmatization at the same time. After all, why stigmatize someone, while you yourself can die of anything else and leave him or her alive?
We should learn how to live with those living with HIV/AIDS with our awareness and without stigmatization. By this, we will reach where we make it public - someone has died of this. Putting in mind that I will take precaution with them whomever he or she 'slept' with.
Lest we change, this kind of notion has undermined the effectiveness of HIV and AIDS awareness in the society. Awareness is fundamental in preventing the HIV/AIDS spread.