AbstractsPsychology

5.2 million South Africans are carrying the virus of HIV. People positively diagnosed with HIV are not only facing a life threatening disease, they are also victims of the stigma that is present in the society. The stigma and discrimination result in denial and isolation, which interferes with testing, education and the work against new cases of HIV. Previous research indicates that the health care system is defined as a setting where anti – stigma interventions can be implemented. Previous research dose also emphasise on the fact that research and literature focusing on HIV related stigma and children are relatively sparse. This study will therefore focus on how care workers, within the health care system; interact with children affected by HIV. The study have been conducted in South Africa at an organization named Yabonga, where interviews and observations have been made in order to receive information about what factors that affect the interaction between the workers and the children.   The information received has been interpreted and understood out of Goffman’s (1963) theory of stigma, as well as Charon’s (2006) theory of symbolic interactionism. The workers’ personality and the attitudes from the society came to be important aspects in the understanding about the interaction. The research presents that the level of knowledge is a key factor to what shapes an equal treatment, which should not be emphasised on a particular group, a developed understanding about HIV is important for every one.   Keywords: HIV/AIDS, Interaction, Stigma, Discrimination