Exploring the disability experiences of South Asian Women living with HIV in Southern Ontario, Canada

Vajravelu, Saipriya; O’Brien, Kelly K; Moll, Sandra; Solomon, Patricia

doi:10.1080/09638288.2022.2037741

Cited by 1 publication

(1 citation statement)

References 41 publications

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“…In addition, economic dependence, residency status, and societal norms such as silence, obedience and subordination, combined with fear of divorce and anxiety about their children's future, may also compromise South Asian women's ability to disclose their HIV status (Finfgeld-Connett & Johnson, 2013;Majumdar, 2013;Zhou, Majumdar, & Vattikonda, 2016). A previous study (Vajravelu, O'Brien, Moll, & Solomon, 2022) demonstrated that South Asian women living with HIV experience intersecting vulnerabilities such as intimate partner violence, gender norms, HIV-stigma, and racism. Little is known about strategies that these women use to cope with day-to-day challenges, and how these are shaped by the individual and social contexts in which they live.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“HIV is a Story, not Life”: Resilience among South Asian Women living with HIV in Canada

Vajravelu

O’Brien

Moll

et al. 2022

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Purpose: This study aimed to understand how immigrant South Asian women living with HIV in Canada develop resilience and to identify their selfmanagement strategies. These strategies could be used by marginalised women and can be supported by health providers. Method:The study participants were eight South Asian women with HIV, living in Ontario, Canada. The women belonged to an urban HIV community organisation. Qualitative methods were used to investigate their experiences. Indepth face-to-face interviews were conducted, utilising a photo/object elicitation technique, to identify the strategies used to develop resilience. Results:The women were primarily in mid-adulthood (age range 39-60 years) and had lived for many years with HIV (range 8-25 years). Thematic analysis of the interview transcripts revealed three themes characterising strategies for resilience: identifying the need for self-care, maintaining social connectivity, and remaining optimistic. Conclusion and Implications:With these strategies, the women had cultivated strength and perseverance in adjusting to adversity. Viewing the resilience of South Asian immigrant women living with HIV through a cultural lens could help to understand and facilitate the development of culturally acceptable selfmanagement strategies.

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