The lived experiences of rural women diagnosed with the human immunodeficiency virus in the antenatal period

Abstract

Background: In South Africa, pregnant women are diagnosed with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) at antenatal clinics and simultaneously initiated on antiretroviral treatment (ART). An HIV diagnosis together with the initiation of ART has an emotional impact that may influence how pregnant women cope with pregnancy and their adherence to a treatment plan. The aim of the study was to explore the lived experiences of women diagnosed with HIV in the antenatal period in a rural area in the Eastern Cape province of South Africa. Methods: A qualitative approach with a descriptive phenomenological design was utilised. The study applied purposive sampling to select participants from a local community clinic in the Eastern Cape. Ten semistructured interviews were conducted, transcribed and analysed using Colaizzi's framework. Results: Four themes formed the essential structure of the phenomenon being investigated: a reality that hits raw, a loneliness that hurts, hope for a fractured tomorrow and support of a few. Although the participants had to accept the harsh reality of being diagnosed with HIV and experienced loneliness and the support of only a few people, they had hope to live and see the future of their children. Conclusion: Women diagnosed with HIV during pregnancy are ultimately concerned with the well-being of their unborn children, and this concern motivates their adherence to ART. Women's lived experiences are situated in their unique sociocultural context, and although some known challenges remain, counselling and support strategies need to be informed by exploring context-specific issues and involving the local community.

Epidemiological behavior of HIV in Paraguay, 2017

“…Maartens et al , y Ortblad et al en el 2013, asimismo respecto al sexo, la mayor frecuencia de nuevos diagnósticos se observó en los hombres, lo (16) cual es semejante a Mansergh et al , en este estudio consideran al sexo masculino incluso como factor de riesgo para la adquisición de la infección, sin embargo estudios cursados por Irarrázabal et al y Fords G et al, en los últimos años se ha producido un incremento del número de casos por transmisión heterosexual, donde la infección de la mujer es de 2 a 10 veces más probable. Este cambio epidemiológico ha provocado un aumento de casos entre la población femenina en todo el mundo, dando lugar a lo que se conoce como la (17,18) feminización de la epidemia .…”

The Pregnancy Experience Among Women With HIV: A Literature Review

“…Almost all participants conceal their HIV status from professional staff as well as partners/family and friends. Lack of disclosure about HIV status due to lack of courage and stigma, especially diaspora in the African community, domestic violence, poor relations and fears of being abandoned by a partner (11)(12)(13)16) and discrimination in society (13,15,16) (17)…”

“…In several studies it was reported that there was no support from a husband or partner and family in treatment (11)(12)(13)(14)16), such as a prohibition by a husband to take HIV drugs (14). and inadequate economic, preventing them from taking medication (13).…”

“…Participants consider pregnancy with HIV to be a dangerous disease and can cause death which will add to their concern if transmitting HIV to their baby (12,13,15,16).…”

“…Basically support from partners, family and peers, support from organizations, groups and service personnel was reported to be able to improve adherence to the use of ART in pregnant women (10)(11)(12)14,15)…”