“They Don't Even Greet You”: HIV Stigma and Diagnosis Disclosure Experienced by HIV-Positive African Immigrants and Refugees in New Zealand

Authors

Cynthia Cannon Poindexter, Fordham University
Mark Hendrickson, Massey University
Christa Fouché, University of Auckland
Derek B. Brown, Sacred Heart UniversityFollow
Kay Scott, Fordham University

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

2013

Abstract

Due to recent changes in New Zealand's HIV and immigration situations, there is a growing need to understand the lives of HIV-positive African newcomers there, including how and when they encounter HIV stigma and discrimination. To illuminate the experience of these individuals, interviews with 13 African immigrants or refugees in New Zealand described difficulties with and causes of HIV stigma and decisions about disclosure of HIV diagnosis. The continued presence of stigma suggests that more work must be done on HIV education, privacy enforcement, antistigma campaigns, culturally competent care, and enforcement of existing human rights laws.

DOI

10.1080/15381501.2013.765715

Recommended Citation

Poindexter, C.C., Henrickson, M., Fouché, C., Brown, D.B., & Scott, K. (2013). “They don't even greet you:” HIV stigma and diagnosis disclosure experienced by HIV-positive African immigrants and refugees in New Zealand. Journal of HIV/AIDS and Social Services: Research, Practice, and Policy, 12(1), 44-65.