Well done SWAPOL! times.co.sz/community/98645-disclosure-important-for-plwha-hiv-activist.html#.U_cI1LqdMAo.facebook DISCLOSURE IMPORTANT FOR PLWHA - HIV ACTIVIST 22/08/2014 07:20:00BY SITHEMBILE HLATSHWAYO Font size: Decrease font Enlarge font MBABANE – Joseph Dlamini believes that disclosure is important for people living with HIV. Dlamini, who openly talks about HIV discovered about his status in 2005 after undergoing an HIV test. He said despite that his results came back positive, he saw the need to relate the news to his family as they were either directly or indirectly affected. “The first thing I did when I got home was to relate the news to my wife and children who fortunately accepted and supported me. “This made life easier for me as my family would constantly remind when I have to take my medication,” Dlamini said. He said his wife also got the courage to undergo the test as he had taken the lead. Dlamini said knowing one’s status is important as it may influence a change in behaviour. According to Dlamini, numerous workshops hosted by the Swaziland for Positive Living (SWAPOL) helped. “I can safely say that these are the people that took me out from the death pit,” he said. Dlamini said following the information received he made a self introspection and decided to undergo an HIV test. The results, he said, came back positive but he did not enrol immediately on antiretroviral treatment as his CD4 count did not qualify. “At that time a specific CD4 count was considered in order for you to enrol on HIV treatment,” Dlamini said. However, after finding a doctor Dlamini said he was able to start on HIV treatment by not paying attention to negative comments from the community and putting his health first by taking his treatment correctly. This is part of a series of testimonials shared by real people through an initiative by PSI Swaziland. All the stories were made possible with funding from the President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR) through Centre of Diseases Control and Prevention (CDC).
Posted on: Fri, 22 Aug 2014 09:39:29 +0000
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