Voices for Equality and Dignity: Qualitative Research on Stigma and Discrimination Issues as They Affect PLWHA in Malawi Malawi Network of People Living with HIV/AIDS (July 2003)  Full Document (English)      Order for free      email to me  Malawi has one of the highest national HIV prevalence rates in the world. The National AIDS Commission (NAC) estimates that the country has an adult (15-49) HIV prevalence rate of 15 percent. There are about one million Malawians who are HIV positive and over 265,000 reported cumulative cases of AIDS. By 1999, approximately 250 Malawians became infected with HIV on a daily basis and 40 percent of all new reported AIDS cases occurred in people under the age of 30. Stigma and discrimination surrounding HIV/AIDS serve as barriers to the proper care, treatment, and support of people living with HIV/AIDS (PLWHA); discourage people from seeking voluntary counselling and testing (VCT) – an important aspect of prevention efforts and an entry point into care and the facilitation of positive living among PLWHA; and hinder the development of an enabling environment that promotes disclosure and living openly with HIV/AIDS. These results have consequences at the individual, family, community, and national levels as all efforts to prevent HIV transmission and mitigate the impacts of the HIV/AIDS epidemic are undermined by stigma and discrimination. This qualitative research study is based on data collected through focus group discussions (FGDs) with PLWHA in Malawi. It is part of a broader National HIV/AIDS Advocacy Project being executed by the Malawi Network of People Living with HIV/AIDS (MANET+) in fulfilment of the objective of advocating for the integration of stigma and discrimination-related issues into the National HIV/AIDS Policy. It emphasises three areas: care, treatment, and support services by PLWHA; VCT services; and disclosure of sero-status (by self and others). This report also explores the importance of greater involvement of PLWHA. The purpose of the National HIV/AIDS Advocacy Project is to catalyse the formulation of supportive HIV/AIDS policies, laws, and regulations.