Social stigma deters HIV-infected people from seeking help

MORE than one-third of the 318 people diagnosed with AIDS in Ireland last year were born in sub-Saharan Africa.

However, support groups are finding that social stigma associated with the infection is preventing people from coming forward early or making the most of the treatment services available.

Ann Nolan, executive director of Dublin AIDS Alliance, said that increasing numbers of African-born people are availing of its services but they are doing so despite cultural discrimination towards people who test positive.