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The Indian Health Service (IHS)
reported that cultural stigma against homosexuality and HIV prevents many
Navajo tribe members from adhering to HIV treatment. HIV incidence among the
Navajo is relatively low due to the seclusion of the reservation, but new cases
surged by 20 percent from 2011 to 2012, according to IHS Chief Medical Officer
Dr. Susan V. Karol. Men who have sex with men (MSM) comprised almost half of
new HIV cases on the reservation.
Melvin Harrison, executive director
of the Navajo AIDS Network (NAN), described how stigma against homosexuality
and HIV affects health-seeking behavior among the Navajo. Approximately 75
percent of NAN clients are “closeted” MSM, according to Harrison. Most NAN
clients have not told their family and friends about their diagnosis because
they fear family rejection and shunning. One HIV-infected man reported that his
mother would not hug him and fed him from disposable plates after learning of
his diagnosis.
The need to remain silent is a major
barrier to treatment compliance, since family and community awareness are
instrumental in helping patients follow through with HIV treatment and
checkups.
Although it is not clear why,
American Indians with HIV or AIDS have a lower survival rate than other racial
groups.
The Friends of AIDS Foundation is
dedicated to enhancing the quality of life for HIV positive individuals and
empowering people to make healthy choices to prevent the spread of the HIV
virus. To learn more about The Friends of AIDS Foundation, please visit: http://www.friendsofaids.org.
TOGETHER WE REMAIN STRONG!
