Shame and HIV infection: A narrative review

Abstract

Introduction: Some diseases such as AIDS more often than not lead to feelings of shame, embarrassment or guilt due to their nature or social burden. Purpose: Investigating the shame experienced by patients suffering from HIV/AIDS infection. Methodology: This narrative review was based on the bibliographic search of reviews and research studies drawn from the international databases. The exclusion criterion of the articles was the language other than English and Greek. Results: People living with HIV report a range of stigmatizing experiences derived from others; including social rejection, exclusion, gossip and poor health care as well as the risk being stigmatized and marginalized. This situation negatively affects people living with HIV, resulting in emotional tensions and outbursts, anger, sadness, a feeling of low self-esteem, fear and shame for their desires and thoughts, shame for themselves. Conclusion: What is needed is the education of society and the adoption of health policies that guarantee that everyone, regardless of the disease they suffer, will have the right to care and health.