attached to it a significant social stigma. This stigma has manifested itself in the form of

discrimination, avoidance and fear of people living with AIDS (PLWAs). As a result, the social

implications of the disease has been extended from those of other life threatening conditions to the

point at which PLWAs are not only faced with a terminal illness but also social isolation and

constant discrimination throughout society. Various explanations have been suggested as to the

underlying causes of this stigmatization. Many studies point to the relationship the disease has

with deviant behaviour. Others suggest that fear of contagion is the actual culprit. Examining the

existing literature and putting it into societal context leads one to believe that there is no one

cause. Instead, there would appear to be a collection of associated factors that influence society's

As the number of people infected with HIV increases, social workers are and will be

increasingly called upon to deal with and serve PWAs. Although not all social workers chose to

knowledge of how the stigma has been formed, it is possible to try and counter its effects and to

Nouveau Defi Medicale. (pp. 255-270). Ottowa/Quebec: Bibliotheque Nationale du Quebec &

educate the public in order to possibly lower the levels of present stigma. Before social workers

transferred to AIDS and PLWAs. Second, is an amplification of the existing negative feelings that

Social workers are and will be called upon to serve clients with AIDS in almost all fields of

Some common words found in the essay are:
AIDS PLWAs, PLWAs Stages, Social Workers, PLWAs PLWA, Social Social, Borchert Rickabugh, White Act, Social Practice, AIDS Society, Cantu Rittiman, social workers, aids related, aids related stigma, related stigma, giblin 1995, et al, quam 1990, et al 1996, o'hare et, o'hare et al, al 1996, casw 1990, contact plwas, social workers 1990, social workers help,
Approximate Word count = 3185
Approximate Pages = 13 (250 words per page double spaced)