Discrimination against people living with HIV in healthcare settings

“HIV-related stigma” refers to the negative beliefs, feelings and attitudes towards PLHIV, groups associated with PLHIV and other key populations at higher risk of HIV infection (e.g. people who inject drugs, sex workers, men who have sex with men and transgender people). It is the prejudice that comes with labelling an individual as part of the HIV+ community.
“HIV-related discrimination” refers to the unfair and unjust treatment of an individual based on his/her real or perceiver HIV+ status. HIV-related discrimination is usually based on stigmatising attitudes and beliefs about populations. While stigma refers to internal beliefs and attitudes, discrimination presents itself externally in one’s behaviour.