Where Will This Illness Take Me? Reactions to HIV Diagnosis From Women Living With HIV in Kenya

Kako, Peninnah; Stevens, Patricia E.; Karani, Anna

doi:10.1080/07399332.2010.530727

Cited by 21 publications

(15 citation statements)

References 51 publications

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“…Their experiences with HIV were mainly negative. These findings are in agreement with previously widely documented evidence of negative life experiences of HIV infected women in the developing countries (Maman and Medley, 2004;Kako PM, et al 2011;Mdlalose BNN 2006). Their experiences with HIV seem to influence their coping strategies in the new family setups they chose to take up or at least they found themselves in.…”

Section: Resultssupporting

confidence: 92%

Single HIV infected women’s experiences with HIV and coping strategies: The case of Chitungwiza and Epworth in Zimbabwe

Thenjiwe¹

2012

J. AIDS HIV Res.

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The existence of HIV among people in sexual relationships has become one of the major factors leading to dissolution of relationships thereby creating single-parents in large numbers. Despite the growing prevalence of HIV infected single women, relatively few psychosocial support systems are available for them. There is not much information addressing this subject specifically focusing on women single parents in the view of HIV and AIDS. This study analysed HIV infected single women experiences with the infection, single parenting and their coping strategies in Zimbabwe. We found that their experiences with both HIV and single parenting were mainly negative and characterised by prolonged episodes of threatened psychological and social wellbeing. Their experiences also determined their coping strategies some of which, to some extent serve to exacerbate the spread of HIV and also negatively affect their psychosocial wellbeing. Efforts to provide psychosocial support and practical guidelines targeting HIV infected single women need to be strengthened.

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Section: Resultssupporting

confidence: 92%

Single HIV infected women’s experiences with HIV and coping strategies: The case of Chitungwiza and Epworth in Zimbabwe

Thenjiwe¹

2012

J. AIDS HIV Res.

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“…The authors recognize that the diagnostic period can be filled with intense emotions ranging from anger to depression and suicidality, so there is a need for all family members to receive pretest counseling (Kako, Stevens, & Karani, 2011). Early, family-focused psychological counseling might help curtail repercussions for women (Angotti et al, 2009), and might mean joint clinic days, or staggered clinic days tailored to the needs of each family (Felder & Kwatampora, 2009).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Segments of the transcription used for this study were translated into English by the first author and an equally proficient translator, who then compared translations to the originals, adjusting as necessary to ensure congruency, and develop a topical codebook. Data were interpreted through narrative analyses (Kako, Stevens, & Karani, 2011). Adherence to standards of rigor established by Hall and Stevens (1991) helped ensure scientific adequacy.…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…In summer 2007, preliminary findings were presented to Kenyan researchers, HIV clinicians, participants, and groups of interested HIV clinic patients in urban and rural locales, and we incorporated their feedback as we finalized conclusions. Herein we focus on narrations concerning missed opportunities for early HIV diagnosis, we report elsewhere findings on women's reactions to HIV diagnosis, transmission risk, and challenges faced in accessing healthcare (Kako, Karani, & Stevens, 2009; Kako et al, 2011; Kako, Stevens, Karani, Mkandawire, & Banda).…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Missed opportunities for early HIV diagnosis: critical insights from the stories of Kenyan women living with HIV

Kako

Stevens

Mkandawire‐Valhmu

et al. 2013

International Journal of Health Promotion and Education

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Early HIV testing is critical to prevention and timely treatment. Missed opportunities for HIV diagnosis can result in unnecessary deaths at a time when access to antiretroviral treatment proves life saving. While HIV prevention and treatment research has increased, less research exists on women's experiences with HIV diagnosis, despite the fact that women are most affected. Insights from local women are critical in designing culturally meaningful interventions that thwart missed opportunities for early HIV diagnosis. The purpose of our study was to uncover steps women took to know their HIV diagnosis. Using narrative inquiry methodology informed by post-colonial feminism, we interviewed 40 HIV- positive women in Kenya. Five themes emerged related to uptake of HIV testing for women: (a) spouse's critical illness or death; (b) years of suffering from HIV-related symptoms; (c) sick children; (d) prenatal testing; and (e) personal desire to know one's HIV status. These findings centered on women experiences provide an important basis for health promotion interventions related to HIV prevention, earlier detection, and treatment.

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“…From this larger study, we report here about the rural women's HIV risk-related experiences. Results pertaining to the other specific aims can be found elsewhere (Kako, Karani, & Stevens, 2009; Kako, Stevens, & Karani, 2011). …”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Grappling With HIV Transmission Risks: Narratives of Rural Women in Eastern Kenya Living With HIV

Kako

Stevens²,

Karani³

et al. 2012

Journal of the Association of Nurses in AIDS Care

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As people live longer and more productively with HIV infection, issues of agency in reducing HIV risk are particularly important for HIV-infected women living in high prevalence, under-resourced countries such as Kenya. Because of their gendered lives, in that being masculine is associated with dominance, while being feminine is associated with passiveness, women in rural Kenya must cope with continued HIV transmission risk even after knowing they are infected with HIV. In this narrative interview study, informed by theories of gender and post-colonial feminism, we examined personal accounts of HIV risk and risk reduction of 20 rural women in eastern Kenya who were living with HIV. From our analysis of the women's narratives, two major themes emerged: gender-based obstacles even in the context of a known HIV diagnosis, and struggles with economic pressures amid HIV risks. Implications for policy, programs, and research are discussed.

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Where Will This Illness Take Me? Reactions to HIV Diagnosis From Women Living With HIV in Kenya

Cited by 21 publications

References 51 publications

Single HIV infected women’s experiences with HIV and coping strategies: The case of Chitungwiza and Epworth in Zimbabwe

Single HIV infected women’s experiences with HIV and coping strategies: The case of Chitungwiza and Epworth in Zimbabwe

Missed opportunities for early HIV diagnosis: critical insights from the stories of Kenyan women living with HIV

Grappling With HIV Transmission Risks: Narratives of Rural Women in Eastern Kenya Living With HIV

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