Stigmatisation and discrimination are barriers to people accessing HIV testing and treatment and are associated with poor mental and physical health outcomes (18). Fear of discrimination due to negative past experiences can deter people with HIV from accessing services. Stigma can also be internalised – a person feels shame about themselves (based on the stigma), expects or fears discrimination to occur, and may avoid services (14).  

The health consequences of HIV-related stigma include increased rates of depression, diminished self-esteem, mental health problems, and poor physical health. Ultimately, stigmatisation and discrimination affect people’s access to health care (14).  As such, stigmatisation itself is a breach of ethics: it leads to unjust discrimination in reducing people’s access to healthcare, which is a basic human right.