20th Anniversary Of World Aids Day: Debunking HIV Myths
“Faith leaders should hence commit themselves to working towards achieving a generation without AIDS, and show loving care and support for those infected. They should develop and implement imaginative strategies to fight stigmatisation, ensure that infected people have access to the essential needs like nutrition and medical care, as well as encourage those not infected to stay uninfected.” So said, the former leader of South Africa’s Anglican church, Archbishop Njongo Ndungane, in a recent interview with the World Aids Campaign.
Three years ago I joined other religious leaders in Taking The Lead in our congregations, communities and country to fight against HIV/AIDS. We agreed that one of the best ways to help others was to first of all become more educated about the virus ourselves. Ignorance and self-righteousness was an irresponsible luxury we could not afford. Then we’d help in educating others. This year, I link my World Aids Day campaign efforts to that of Bloggers Unite.
I’ve been in a story-telling mood as I have found that sharing these stories with persons have helped them to understand better than presenting a scholarly treatise on the subject. A couple days ago, I shared stories of Broken Promises and how by not keeping our promises we put our lives and the lives of others at risk.
Today I wish to share a little on myths and how these myths help to spread HIV/AIDS. So here are some myths I believe we need to debunk to help in the prevention of new infections and general spread of the HIV virus.
Myth # 1 – Christians abstain so they do not spread HIV/AIDS
Ha Ha Ha! I shouldn’t even answer this one. Christians are not sheathed in ‘divine latex’.Christian youth, single adults and elderly Christian women often cover up sexual activities to join at least in theory with the church’s teachings on sexual practices. Since they don’t wish to be caught walking with condoms, they are likely to engage in unprotected sex especially in one-off situations.
Not wanting to run the risk of being found out, they will not go for public testing. That would be like making a public confession. So they don’t get tested, and they don’t know their status. There is no sign tattooed on the forehead saying I have HIV. Moreover, most good Christians would not take communion with him/her if they know they were infected. So they keep it quiet.
I talk to my congregation of all ages about sexuality, STIs and especially HIV/AIDS. And I also send couples to get tested and know their status during Pre-marital preparation.
Myth #2 I don’t need to be tested
Some people believe that if they had it they’d know because they’d see signs and symptoms or it’s unlikely that they caught it because they only had unprotected sexual contact once, very rarely, or they have only one partner who is faithful (because s/he tells me so). Yea right!
You don’t have sex or even unprotected sex but you work in a high risk job like a nurse/or in a lad where you handle needles; or you are into using substances (drugs) where you share needles or syringes with others. You are at risk.
Go get tested!
Testing will settle the matter of your results. The sooner you know your status the better a head start on the new phase of your life. By that I mean, If you tested positive you’ll be able to start treatment sooner. If you tested negative, you also have a chance at a new life – one where you are going to decide on how you’ll live from the day of your result onwards. However, HIV Negative results breeds our 4th myth which I’ll deal with in a while.
Myth # 3 I tested positive but I can be cured
This is common myth, still held to and practiced in Africa and in the African Diaspora (in the Caribbean and among Caribbean migrant men). I don’t know about its prevalence among African American men.
Some young and old men believe that you can be cured of a Sexually Transmitted Infection (STI) by having sexual intercourse with a virgin. I’m yet to hear that this has disappeared in Jamaica. I’m also not aware of how prevalent it is in Panama, but the idea is known about. It came here with West Indian migrant men. There is no truth to this and it keeps on spreading the virus and destroying the lives of young women and girls and sometimes at the hands of male relatives or people they know.
The second ‘cure’ is by dosing up on “roots drinks.” Many of the men who do this believe HIV is nothing that some “strong-back” or other ‘roots drinks’ won’t cure. I do value and advocate the use of alternative medicines. However, it should be known that while naturopathic or dietary changes might be as effective (sometimes even more so) than anti-retrovirals a few ‘roots drinks’ is not the same thing as being on a well managed health programme.
Get on a proper treatment program. Use anti-retrovirals and/or dietary and lifestyle changes but don’t perpetuate dangerous and oppressive cultural practices. Therefore, religious leaders can lend voice and efforts to advocate for the provision of universal access to medication for all HIV infected persons, no matter their religion or sexual orientation or practices. Again the church can take the lead and help in this way. Read more about Universal Access here. It is not about condoning practices, it is about saving lives.
Myth# 4 I tested negative so I’m Ok
You are NOT OK unless you tested negative after the Window Period had passed, and engaged in no further risky behaviour during that time or since. This has been one of the biggest problems Counseling & Testing providers have discovered. People do not understand the ‘Window Period’ which can get a little confusing with all the information out there.
Unfortunately, It’s very common to meet persons who are sent by doctors to do a HIV test, in facilities that offer no Counselling before or after testing. Until I did the training I never knew what the big deal was. Nurses have so much to do, who has time to counsel people in order to get a blood test. I changed that attitude so fast when I learnt what was at stake.
One of the things that church leaders can do, if we are serious about tackling the spread of the virus is to advocate that every testing provider/location employs Counsellors (paid or voluntary). And this is where it is good to mobilize the church community to train volunteers who could provide this as a ministry.
Go read my explanation of the Window Period, and also see how you can take the lead and help to dispel dangerous myths after today’s campaign is over.
Get the 2008 UNAIDS Global report on HIV/AIDS here.
Peace,
Marvia
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December 1st, 2008 at 11:58 pm
[...] Panama Journal 20th Anniversary Of World Aids Day: Debunking HIV Myths explains away some of the most common myths surrounding [...]
December 7th, 2008 at 3:12 am
Kudos to you for being one of the few in the religious profession to address this situation in a realistic and pragmatic manner.
December 7th, 2008 at 4:01 am
Spinster,
Thank you for visiting and for sharing a comment. I hope more of my colleagues will join the efforts at prevention rather than distance themselves. This might be where realism and pragmatism desert me, but I continue to hope they'll come around
Peace!
December 20th, 2008 at 3:15 pm
Keep up the good work.
SOMEONE has to be a rational light in the world.
December 1st, 2009 at 9:42 am
[...] with HIV as we are all “living with HIV and AIDS” directly or indirectly. The many myths I had about AIDS have thankfully been [...]