People Living with HIV and AIDS: Experiences towards Antiretroviral Therapy, Paradigm Changes, Coping, Stigma, and Discrimination—A Grounded Theory Study

Abstract

Background: The experiences in coping with HIV/AIDS from people living with HIV (PLWH) in Austria, Munich, and Berlin regarding adherence, antiretroviral therapy (ART), stigmatization, and discrimination were the main focus of this study. Therapy adherence is the cornerstone for PLWH to reduce disease progression and increase life expectancy combined with a high quality of life. The experience of stigmatization and discrimination in different life situations and settings is still experienced today. Aims: We aimed to examine the subjective perspective of PLWH concerning living with, coping with, and managing HIV/AIDS in daily life. Methods: Grounded Theory Methodology (GTM) was used. Data collection was conducted with semi-structured face-to-face interviews with 25 participants. Data analysis was performed in three steps, open, axial, and selective coding. Results: Five categories emerged, which included the following: (1) fast coping with diagnosis, (2) psychosocial burden due to HIV, (3) ART as a necessity, (4) building trust in HIV disclosure, (5) stigmatization and discrimination are still existing. Conclusion: In conclusion, it can be said that it is not the disease itself that causes the greatest stress, but the process of coping with the diagnosis. Therapy, as well as lifelong adherence, is hardly worth mentioning today. Much more significant is currently still the burden of discrimination and stigmatization.

Gestão em Saúde de um Centro de Testagem e Aconselhamento de HIV: Contribuições da Enfermagem

“…É importante ressaltar que, sendo a infecção pelo HIV/Aids uma doença crônica, impõe desafios aos profissionais de saúde que vão além das ações voltadas para a contenção da epidemia. Assim, as ações direcionadas para o tratamento e a disseminação de conhecimento são fundamentais para evitar discriminação ou propagação do estigma social (20)(21) .…”

“…Nesse contexto, a pessoa que apresentava os sinais clínicos da Aids ou a presença do HIV era considerada portadora de um atributo depreciativo, o que a reduzia socialmente e a tornava vítima de preconceitos. Esse julgamento acontecia tanto na constituição de sua identidade social real, explicitada pelos sintomas clássicos da Aids, quanto na identidade social virtual, por meio da infecção, mas ainda sem manifestação clínica (21) .…”

Health Management of an HIV Testing and Counseling Center: Nursing Contributions

“…It is worth noting that HIV/AIDS, as a chronic disease, presents challenges to healthcare professionals that extend beyond actions aimed solely at containing the epidemic. Therefore, actions directed towards treatment and knowledge dissemination are crucial to prevent discrimination and the proliferation of social stigma (20)(21) .…”

“…In this context, an individual displaying clinical signs of AIDS or the presence of HIV was considered to possess a stigmatizing attribute, leading to social marginalization and victimization due to prejudice. This judgment applied both to the formation of their actual social identity, as evidenced by classic AIDS symptoms, and to their virtual social identity, resulting from infection without clinical manifestation (21) .…”

Efecto de las emociones positivas post ejercicio como terapia complementaria en pacientes VIH/SIDA con tratamiento retroviral

“…Las PLWH, especialmente en combinación con la homosexualidad, la bisexualidad, la alta promiscuidad y el uso de drogas por vía intravenosa son grupos particularmente discriminados (Beichler et al, 2023). Si bien los retrovirales han conseguido una mejor calidad de vida entre los pacientes que sufren la enfermedad, ésta puede resultar en un sinnúmero de efectos adversos físicos y fisiológicos.…”