How does stigma and discrimination, as witnesses in Jamaica, perpetuate the global HIV/aids epidemic?

"I live in a community where they don't know that I am HIV positive, and I can't tell them," said John turner (not his real name), a 55year old labourer who hails from a lower-middle class suburb of Kingston." I just can't tell them because of the stigma that is attached to it. I don't know what reaction would be."

Considering this article report by Michael Delbert on how the epidemic is shaping life in Jamaica, I ask myself?
How old is the disease now? Thirty-five, fifty? Shouldn't it be dead and less threatening by now? The thing is a plague, blight on society and if only we can find a more standing solution to it just to stop all this aguish and sufferings.

The Caribbean, with all the fun associated with it and its spectacular beaches and palm fruits is regarded as the second most affected region in the world after sub-Saharan Africa, and the most affected in the Americas. Aids is a leading cause of death among 25-44year-olds in the Caribbean. Some Caribbean countries have adult HIV/Aids prevalence rates (the percent the highest rates in the world outside of Sub-Saharan Africa. Majority of the people affected being women and young people especially, young women.

v The Jamaican believe towards the epidemic

Interestingly, the Caribbean first case of what was later identified as Aids was officially recorded in Jamaica in 1982.since then, they have come a long way on how they view and live with the epidemic. The problem associated with diseases especially those in the realm of Aids is that of discrimination and condemnation which is generally the problem the people of Jamaica are facing. People are afraid to reveal their status because of how they are going to be viewed and looked upon.

It is generally known that the primarily way in which the epidemic is transmitted and spread around is through heterosexual sex which carries majority of the cases involved with commercial sex and prostitution high in it list but over the years, there have been lingering belief that homosexuality is gradually taking over in the spread of the disease but because of the way they are treated and condemned in Jamaica it has been difficult to really prove the extent and reach those infected.

v Jamaicans attitude towards homosexuality

Most countries in the world still find it hard to accept homosexuality. Jamaica is one of those countries really stiff

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