HIV status: inform or not?

Bernadette (pseudonym), a young woman from Pointe-Noire in the Congo, a second-hand clothing vendor at the Tié-Tié market, who explained to us during the course of the Vérité Plus show, on the radio channel DVS+, how she was a victim of discrimination after being betrayed be her [female] friend. She is 35 years old, married, and has three children. She is the breadwinner of the family and with the help of the little shop she manages; the couple is trying to escape from their problems.

Bernadette recently decided to voluntarily do an HIV screening test, since her health has at times been very mediocre, after taking numerous treatments. Afterwards, her test came back positive. Informed by the situation, she confided in her friend, who manages the same shop. Because of her health problems, Bernadette was often absent from the market, and her clients always came to ask about her at her table. Clients valued her kindness.

However, Bernadette’s life is going to change when her friend divulges Bernadette’s HIV status. Her colleagues and clients from the market are informed that she is HIV-positive. Very few clients come from now on to buy at Bernadette’s table. Her life becomes difficult, and she has difficulty in making ends meet.

At the market, her neighbors immediately desert their tables; which even attract the attention of those responsible for managing the market, who, conscious of the fact that having a table at the market is a difficult thing, are surprised to find empty tables around her. The situation has put everyone on alert, and those passing from far away can hear the neighbor’s gossip on the fact that she is a woman infected with HIV. However there are no outward signs that Bernadette is sick, one cannot read it on her face. The illness is not at an advanced stage and she is not on ARV treatment. She is simply a normal young woman.

In a setback, traumatized by the situation, she stops her little shop and the questions dance in her head: “What I am going to do now especially that it is me that supports the family for all the plans?”

“How to tell my husband, who has already observed that I don’t sell merchandise anymore?”

“How will my husband react when he hears from here and there that I’m HIV-positive?”

Bernadette doesn’t feel ready to inform her husband of her HIV status for fear of being subjected to violence.

“Is HIV transmitted through co-habitation, to explain why my friends and clients avoid me?”

“How can I assert my rights in order to at least regain sales and my client’s trust?”

All these questions bring back the efficacy of campaign strategies developed towards the prevention of HIV/AIDS and the psycho-social supervision of people living with HIV.

Bernadette’s case reveals the ignorance that dwells in the minds of Congolese regarding the transmission of HIV. Many women fear revealing their status because they will not be accepted by their families and peers. Rejection creates a desire of revenge and voluntary transmission of HIV.

Much needs to be done of what is people’s sensibilities on the question of HIV/AIDS transmission and prevention. The rights and responsibilities of people living with HIV must become generalized.

What should we do so that information on HIV permeates the public sphere?

What should the public do to be informed on the questions linked to HIV?

What to do for individuals living with HIV to leave the rut and have a say since an individual is not born to be HIV positive, but it can happen to all of us?

Courage, courage, courage and all working, because with all of us, victory is near.

Translated from French to English by Natalie Conte.

Davy Herman Malanda