a basic presentation on HIV, the roles of a SOCIAL WORKER on how to deal with PLWHA

1. Basic Issues/problems ,
modes of management
including related laws, roles
and skills of Social Worker
MAC PAUL V. ALARIAO
BSSW II – A

2. HIV stands for human immunodeficiency virus. It
is the virus that can lead to acquired
immunodeficiency syndrome or AIDS if not
treated. Unlike some other viruses, the human
body can’t get rid of HIV completely, even with
treatment. So once you get HIV, you have it for
life.
HIV attacks the body’s immune system, specifically
the CD4 cells (T cells), which help the immune
system fight off infections. Untreated, HIV reduces
the number of CD4 cells (T cells) in the body,
making the person more likely to get other
infections or infection-related cancers.

3. 1. HIV/AIDS-RELATED STIGMA
AND “OTHERING”
A dominant theme in this study
was the extent to which stigma
and discrimination remained a
central concern for PLWHA.
AIDS-related stigma remains one
of the barriers to curb the further
spread of the disease amongst
people who are aware of their
HIV-positive status.

4. 2. DISCLOSURE
Decisions about HIV disclosure are
dependent on perceived AIDS-related
stigma. Due to the persistent nature of
AIDS-related stigma group participants
expressed fears of disclosure that
might lead to rejection by their families
or partners, or losing their jobs.
Manifestations of discrimination
including being isolated and forced to
use separate kitchen utensils, and
keeping to “their own room”

5. 3. RISKY BEHAVIOR
Several concerns were raised
relating to risk factors for HIV
infection, such as revenge sex by
those infected.
The role of alcohol and drugs in
risk-taking behaviours also became
evident.
Gender violence was also
mentioned as a potential risk factor
for women

6. 4. SOCIOECONOMIC ISSUES
PLWHA might have other, more pressing, problems that
they faced on a daily basis (like unemployment,
poverty, domestic violence), so that in contexts where
concerns regarding survival from day to day were
paramount, HIV status could be considered secondary

7. No effective cure currently exists, but
with proper medical care, HIV can be
controlled. The medicine used to
treat HIV is called antiretroviral
therapy or ART.
If people with HIV take ART as
prescribed, their viral load (amount of
HIV in their blood) can become
undetectable.
If it stays undetectable, they can live
long, healthy lives and have
effectively no risk of transmitting HIV
to an HIV-negative partner through
sex.

8. When working with people living with
HIV/AIDS, social workers need to be aware
of:
 Local HIV/AIDS support groups and
community-based organizations.
 Cultural sensitivity and unconscious
biases.
 Drug and alcohol abuse and the role it
plays in HIV infection.
 Safer-sex practices and awareness.
 Multidisciplinary teams and the
importance of communication between
medical professionals, social workers and
other team members.

9. REPUBLIC ACT 8504
Philippine AIDS Prevention and Control Act of 1998
An act promulgating policies and prescribing measures
for the prevention and control of HIV/AIDS in the
Philippines, instituting a nationwide HIV/AIDS program,
establishing a comprehensive HIV/AIDS monitoring
system, strengthening the Philippine national aids
council, and for other purposes

10. CRITICAL THINKING
ACTIVE
LISTENING
EMPATHY
EMOTIONAL INTELLIGENCE
ORGANIZATION
INNER STRENGTH

11. ADVOCATE
MANAGER
CASE MANAGER
EDUCATOR
FACILITATOR
ORGANIZER
BROKER

12. ALL NATIONAL GOVERNMENT AGENCIES
LEAD BY THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH

13. THANK YOU SO MUCH…