Hi all, I am Kehlani, one of the Penta Young Reporters.
This article is about how HIV and stigma can affect the mental health of young people and how social norms and gendered attitudes in the UK significantly impact the Sexual Reproductive Health (SRH) outcomes for boys and girls in the UK.
Sexual Reproductive Health Rights (SRHR) are crucial components of overall health, encompassing access to information, services, and education related to sexual health, family planning, and reproductive rights. In the UK, where I live, social norms and gendered attitudes significantly influence SRH outcomes for boys and girls, leading to disparities that affect their health and well-being.
During an interview with Caroline Foster, a consultant in Paediatric and Adolescent Infectious Diseases and HIV, I learned about how young people with HIV face increased mental health challenges, including depression, anxiety, and psychosis, often due to societal and family factors rather than HIV.
Caroline explained that while young people living with HIV have increased mental health diagnoses compared to young people in the same country of the same age who don’t live with HIV, it’s not necessarily the HIV itself that increases the risk. Siblings within families impacted by HIV also have increased mental health risks. So that might be you’re more likely to have had adverse childhood experiences, such as parental ill health and parental death, or have had to live in a single carer family. So, it’s probably not so much living with HIV, but more living in a family affected by HIV.
She also emphasised the importance of recognising the impact of early life experiences on brain development. “We see increased rates of psychosis in young people born with HIV, and we think it’s about seven times the risk, and that’s probably more related to being born with HIV and is more common in those who have had advanced disease in infancy”.
Caroline also mentioned that stigma associated with HIV makes people feel uncomfortable about their diagnosis as well as themselves and that’s why psychological support is so important especially when people first get their diagnosis. It can help people understand that yes you have HIV but it’s going to be okay with the right support system and advice. However, reducing HIV stigma in society requires a multifaceted approach that involves education, advocacy, and community engagement. She pointed out that stigma surrounding HIV often stems from societal attitudes and fear. “You’re born with a virus, not with stigma,” she said. “Unfortunately, stigma can be internalised and perpetuated within families, hindering open conversations about HIV.”
Some effective strategies that I have learned about that can reduce HIV stigma include, providing accurate information about HIV transmission, prevention, and treatment can dispel myths and misconceptions; promoting positive narratives of people living with HIV to challenge stereotypes; creating safe spaces for open dialogue about HIV through community forums and support groups; advocating for policies that protect the rights of people living with HIV and promote equitable access to healthcare; and engaging public figures and community leaders in HIV awareness initiatives can help amplify messages and reach wider audiences.
Social norms and gender roles often dictate how boys and girls perceive their sexual and reproductive health. For instance, traditional attitudes may encourage boys to adopt a more assertive approach to sexual relationships, while girls may be socialised to prioritise modesty and restraint. These differing expectations can lead to a lack of open communication about sexual health among young people. Boys might feel pressured to engage in sexual activity to conform to societal expectations, while girls may experience stigma or shame when discussing their own desires or needs. This dynamic can hinder both genders from accessing necessary information and services, ultimately impacting their SRH outcomes.
Moreover, gendered attitudes can affect the availability and accessibility of SRH services. For example, girls may face barriers such as fear of judgment or lack of confidentiality when seeking contraceptive services or sexual health advice. Conversely, boys may not feel encouraged to seek help or information about their reproductive health due to societal norms that discourage vulnerability. As a result, these disparities can lead to higher rates of unintended pregnancies, sexually transmitted infections, and mental health issues among young people.
Addressing the social norms and gendered attitudes that influence SRH outcomes is essential for promoting equitable access to sexual and reproductive health services in the UK. By fostering an environment that encourages open dialogue and provides comprehensive education, we can improve the health and well-being of all young people, regardless of gender, and ensure their rights to make informed decisions about their sexual and reproductive health.
Thank you to Caroline Foster for taking time out of her day to talk to me and thank to Melania for organising the meeting it was such an intellectual experience one that I am very grateful to have experienced.
Thank you for reading!