Disability and HIV/AIDS
Disability is both a cause and a consequence of HIV/AIDS.
Fact
People with a disability are three times more likely to get HIV/AIDS than those who do not have a disability.
The Situation
People with disabilities are particularly at risk of HIV/AIDS because of:- An inability to access reproductive health services for testing and treatment, as it is often assumed that people with disabilities are not sexually active and do not use intravenous drugs.
- An inability to access preventative information as the information may not be presented in a way that can be understood or the person may not be included in settings where this information is readily shared, such as schools and health clinics.
- An increased vulnerability to sexual abuse due to cultural beliefs and practises, for example, in some contexts there are myths that sex with a disabled female child will cure HIV, based on the false assumption that people with a disability are always virgins, and do not have HIV.
What is CBM doing?
CBM is working with local partners in HIV/AIDS to:- Reduce stigma and negative attitudes
- Provide access to medical and rehabilitative services
- Collaborate with existing organisations to raise awareness of HIV and provide information on how it can be prevented
- Create opportunities for educational and vocational training
- Create opportunities for sustainable livelihoods