Living with HIV infection

Perceptions of patients with access to care at a non‐governmental organization in Chennai, India

Bibliographic Data

ID15098212
AuthorsNalini Tarakeshwar (Department of Psychiatry, corresponding author), Archana Krishnan (0000-0001-6021-7736), A K Krishnan (Y. R. Gaitonde Center for AIDS Research and Education), Sethulakshmi C Johnson, Sethulakshmi Johnson (Y. R. Gaitonde Center for AIDS Research and Education), Suniti Solomon (Y. R. Gaitonde Center for AIDS Research and Education), Kathleen Sikkema (Department of Psychiatry), Kathleen J Sikkema (0000-0003-0371-5119, Yale University), Michael Merson (0000-0002-6259-3951, Department of Epidemiology and Public Health)
Year2006
Volume8
Issue5
Pages407-421
Publication date2006-09-01
Peer ReviewedYes
Open AccessNo
TypeARTICLE
VenueCulture Health & Sexuality (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 1369-1058 • E-ISSN: 1464-5351
PublisherInforma UK Limited (PUBLISHER • GB)
DOI10.1080/13691050600859609
PMID16923645
OpenAlexW2158161158
LanguageEN
Citations received7
References cited16

Through interviews, we examined explanatory frameworks of living with HIV infection among 50 HIV-positive individuals (23 women, 27 men) receiving care at a non-governmental organization in Chennai, India. Results were analysed according to three sets of issues, all of which were found to differ by gender: causal beliefs about HIV, impact of HIV, and care/treatment of HIV. HIV-positive participants attributed their infection to biological, moral and social causes, and the physical, financial and relationship dimensions of their lives were impacted upon by the infection. Furthermore, HIV-related stigma evoked fears about isolation and discrimination. Regarding care/treatment, men were most usually first initiated into the healthcare system while women often entered as a consequence of their partner's condition. Non-adherence to medication was reported by 32% of the participants due to financial constraints or side-effects. Although all participants were hopeful about a cure for HIV, women were less positive than men about treatment. Results highlight the importance of a gender-sensitive approach to HIV care, nuanced to accommodate an individual's gender, marital status and social background

Environmental health · Family medicine · Health care · Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV · Marital status · Political science · Population · Psychiatry · Social stigma · Sociology · Stigma (botany · Adolescent Sexual and Reproductive Health · Demography · HIV, Drug Use, Sexual Risk · HIV/AIDS Research and Interventions · Medicine · Psychology · Gerontology

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