Fears and Challenges in Parenting With Hiv Status Among Concordant Couples in Pakistan

Abstract

HIV is known as one of the most life-threatening illnesses of the contemporary era and 240,000 individuals have been estimated to live with HIV in Pakistan. The current research paper intended to find out the child-bearing and rearing concerns among HIV concordant couples. The present research has inspired a four phase model of HIV by Tasker, 1992. The researcher used a phenomenological design of qualitative research with an in-depth interview technique. We have conducted interviews with 08 HIV concordant couples by using an interview guide. Field data was analyzed through NVIVO 11 and the thematic analysis technique was used to draw the themes from field data. The four key themes of the research paper were discussed in the results and discussion section. The researchers have used only four themes mentioned as, childbearing anxieties among couples, child-rearing and family maintenance, fears for parental disclosure of HIV status to children, stigmatization & discrimination in medical treatment in the health care system. Furthermore, HIV individuals need familial, social, and governmental support to fight against HIV and give HIV-free generation to Pakistan. Keywords: HIV concordant couples, childbearing, child-rearing, family maintenance, fear of disclosure, stigmatization

Embodiment of Stigma and Biographical Disruption Faced by HIV Concordant Couples in Pakistan: A Phenomenological Study

“…HIV related stigma and discrimination have an adverse effect on the general life of people living with the virus as well as their families. Stigma makes diagnosed people to live in fear which makes them less likely to adopt preventive behavior, to go in for testing, disclose their status to others, access care and as well stick to treatment (Charkheyan, 2013;Grossman & Stangl, 2013, Habiba et al, 2021.…”

“…Individuals who are afflicted with HIV infection face significant societal stigma in the majority of nations (Saki et al, 2015). The significance of HIV's social implications in Pakistan is underscored by the country's cultural setting, which heavily relies on societal values and behaviours pertaining to the illness among people and couples (Kontomanolis et al, 2017;Habiba et al, 2021). Religious, cultural, and societal factors in Pakistan impede individuals and couples from revealing their HIV status.…”