HSV-2/HIV co-infection, health-related quality of life and identity in women

Abstract

This qualitative study sought to understand the meaning that women ascribe to living with HIV and symptomatic HSV-2 infections in relationship to their health-related quality of life (HRQoL). HIV affected overall physical and mental HRQoL whereas HSV-2 was an immediate concern experienced on an episodic basis. HSV-2/HIV co-infection was framed as a gendered issue affecting women's abilities to navigate social and sexual relationships and assume social roles. Participants outlined several approaches to overcome their diagnoses and described several social and structural barriers that prevented achieving good HRQoL. HSV-2 is an important medical and psychosocial issue for women living with HIV. Implications for practice and pedagogy are discussed.

Risk of Secondary Distress for Graduate Students Conducting Qualitative Research on Sensitive Subjects: A Scoping Review of Canadian Dissertations and Theses

“…Strategies planned and implemented in order to reduce the risk for emotional impact in these dissertations arranged in order of frequency included: (1) journaling, audit trail or reflexivity ( n = 10) (Cooper, 2013; Dayal, 2018, Gagnier, 2014; Ion, 2010; Krahn, 2011; Lee, 2015; Martinek, 2015; Pucci, 2016; Puurveen, 2016); (2) supervisor/mentor support ( n = 7) (Bailey, 2013; Dayal, 2018; Gagnier, 2014; Ion, 2010; Lee, 2015; Puurveen, 2016; Vu, 2017); (3) self-care practices ( n = 5) such as meditation, running, study rest periods (Bailey, 2013; Ion, 2010; Martinek, 2015; Pucci, 2016; Puurveen, 2016); (4) debriefing ( n = 5) (Gagnier, 2014; Ion, 2010; Krahn, 2011; Lee, 2015; Pucci, 2016; Puurveen, 2016); (5) peer support ( n = 4) (Bailey, 2013; Ion, 2010; Puurveen, 2016; Vu, 2017); (6) training in counselling/coping ( n = 3) (Gagnier, 2014; Lee, 2015; Vu, 2017) and (7) professional support/counselling ( n = 1) (Bailey, 2013). Assessment strategies or tools to recognize and monitor levels of emotional impact or secondary distress were not reported within the included dissertations.…”