‘I am struggling to survive’ – limited living conditions increase the burden of HIV: A qualitative study
ABSTRACTThe human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) continues to have life-limiting health consequences for many individuals and remains a significant threat to global public health. This qualitative study explores the experiences of people living with HIV in Sidama, Ethiopia. Interviews with 19 adults r...
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Format: | Article |
Language: | English |
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Taylor & Francis Group
2023-01-01
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Series: | Global Public Health |
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Online Access: | https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/10.1080/17441692.2023.2280049 |
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author | Ingeborg Ulvund Gezahegn Bekele Dadi Anne Gutteberg |
author_facet | Ingeborg Ulvund Gezahegn Bekele Dadi Anne Gutteberg |
author_sort | Ingeborg Ulvund |
collection | DOAJ |
description | ABSTRACTThe human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) continues to have life-limiting health consequences for many individuals and remains a significant threat to global public health. This qualitative study explores the experiences of people living with HIV in Sidama, Ethiopia. Interviews with 19 adults recruited from an HIV outpatient clinic were conducted using a semi-structured interview guide. The analysis method used was systematic text condensation. The results reveal that an HIV diagnosis triggered strong emotions. Economic concerns, stigma, and discrimination also increased the burden of a diagnosis, which could lead to a loss of income or housing. Consequently, informants’ ability to maintain a regular life and receive social and psychological support was reduced. Religious faith provided strength to informants, though they stated that some religious leaders do not support antiretroviral therapy. Understanding the everyday challenges of people living with HIV is crucial for health professionals and health programme developers working to promote health and enable people to follow their recommended course of treatment. Person-centred care is recommended. In particular, the poorest should receive attention. It is also crucial to reduce stigma and discriminatory attitudes towards people living with HIV and to motivate faith leaders to prevent HIV stigma and support antiretroviral therapy. |
first_indexed | 2024-03-11T10:24:33Z |
format | Article |
id | doaj.art-4ae8bc2b60394c36957a3e0be3cda4fe |
institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
issn | 1744-1692 1744-1706 |
language | English |
last_indexed | 2024-03-11T10:24:33Z |
publishDate | 2023-01-01 |
publisher | Taylor & Francis Group |
record_format | Article |
series | Global Public Health |
spelling | doaj.art-4ae8bc2b60394c36957a3e0be3cda4fe2023-11-15T23:09:51ZengTaylor & Francis GroupGlobal Public Health1744-16921744-17062023-01-0118110.1080/17441692.2023.2280049‘I am struggling to survive’ – limited living conditions increase the burden of HIV: A qualitative studyIngeborg Ulvund0Gezahegn Bekele Dadi1Anne Gutteberg2Faculty of Health Sciences and Social Care, Molde University College, Specialized University in Logistics, Molde, NorwaySchool of Nursing, Hawassa University-College of Medicine & Health Science, Hawassa, EthiopiaFaculty of Health Sciences and Social Care, Molde University College, Specialized University in Logistics, Molde, NorwayABSTRACTThe human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) continues to have life-limiting health consequences for many individuals and remains a significant threat to global public health. This qualitative study explores the experiences of people living with HIV in Sidama, Ethiopia. Interviews with 19 adults recruited from an HIV outpatient clinic were conducted using a semi-structured interview guide. The analysis method used was systematic text condensation. The results reveal that an HIV diagnosis triggered strong emotions. Economic concerns, stigma, and discrimination also increased the burden of a diagnosis, which could lead to a loss of income or housing. Consequently, informants’ ability to maintain a regular life and receive social and psychological support was reduced. Religious faith provided strength to informants, though they stated that some religious leaders do not support antiretroviral therapy. Understanding the everyday challenges of people living with HIV is crucial for health professionals and health programme developers working to promote health and enable people to follow their recommended course of treatment. Person-centred care is recommended. In particular, the poorest should receive attention. It is also crucial to reduce stigma and discriminatory attitudes towards people living with HIV and to motivate faith leaders to prevent HIV stigma and support antiretroviral therapy.https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/10.1080/17441692.2023.2280049HIV and living conditionsHIV and social and psychological healthreligious followersperson-centred care |
spellingShingle | Ingeborg Ulvund Gezahegn Bekele Dadi Anne Gutteberg ‘I am struggling to survive’ – limited living conditions increase the burden of HIV: A qualitative study Global Public Health HIV and living conditions HIV and social and psychological health religious followers person-centred care |
title | ‘I am struggling to survive’ – limited living conditions increase the burden of HIV: A qualitative study |
title_full | ‘I am struggling to survive’ – limited living conditions increase the burden of HIV: A qualitative study |
title_fullStr | ‘I am struggling to survive’ – limited living conditions increase the burden of HIV: A qualitative study |
title_full_unstemmed | ‘I am struggling to survive’ – limited living conditions increase the burden of HIV: A qualitative study |
title_short | ‘I am struggling to survive’ – limited living conditions increase the burden of HIV: A qualitative study |
title_sort | i am struggling to survive limited living conditions increase the burden of hiv a qualitative study |
topic | HIV and living conditions HIV and social and psychological health religious followers person-centred care |
url | https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/10.1080/17441692.2023.2280049 |
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