Several years ago, infected persons would not willingly admit to having HIV infection, as the stigma surrounding the disease was high.
But today, while there is still some degree of reservation about publicly declaring the illness, some people feel comfortable discussing the issue.
One such person is Jason Richards, who has been living with HIV/AIDS for the past seven years. He has seen the need to use his illness to educate the public about the disease.
However, it was only four years ago that he felt comfortable to do so because of the stigma that had existed in society.
The 24-year-old said after years of facing discrimination in society, he opted to contribute to breaking the walls of stigma through various educational strategies.
"I started out, first of all, by giving a speech on the disease for a friend who is also infected, but was scared to make the public talk," he said.
"I wasn't scared because by then I went through all the criticisms in society and persons were beginning to love and care for me," he added.
Richards is now participating in the Ministry of Health campaigns in breaking the stigma.
Pledge to continue
He said he was positive that he had made a difference in the lives of several persons living with the illness, and pledged to continue.
"My work don't stop here. I will continue to educate the people of Jamaica so that they know that AIDS is not a death sentence and we are people who live normal lives just the same," he said.
Richards encouraged other infected persons to speak up about the disease, which could change the way persons view them in society.
According to Roshane Reid, behaviour change communication officer in the National HIV/STI programme at the Ministry of Health, while the stigma still exists, the ministry has made significant strides through various educational strategies with the partnership of several key partners.
Among these are the Ministry of Education, non-governmental and faith-based organisations, as well as United Nations partners and funders.
The 2008 Knowledge, Attitude, Behaviour and Practice survey done by the ministry indicated that Jamaicans are displaying increasing acceptance of persons living with HIV, with 82 per cent being willing to care for an infected family member.
It showed, however, that persons remain reluctant to purchase fresh vegetables from HIV-positive vendors, with less than a quarter endorsing this measure.
Reid said the programme reaped much reward in breaking down the stigma in society as a result of several campaign strategies, such as mass media campaign featuring persons living with HIV, prevention interventions at health centres, public education in workplaces and education in schools, primarily through the implementation of the Health and Family Life Education curriculum.
The Jamaica Red Cross also played a major role in breaking down the barriers in society.
Programmes director for HIV and Youths, Stacy-Ann Tomlinson, said the institution was heavily involved in educating the public about the disease at various forums and events.
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