scholarly journals Immediate reactions of newly-diagnosed HIV-positive persons to the initial news of being HIV-positive: Implications for public health

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Adobea Yaa Owusu
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Healthcare Workers ◽  
Significant Others ◽  
Safety Net ◽  
Transmission Risk ◽  
Hiv Positive ◽  
Positive Diagnosis ◽  
Persons Living With Hiv ◽  
Living With Hiv ◽  
Hiv Aids

Abstract Background: Ready acceptance of the first news of HIV-positive diagnosis is a known personal and public health safety-net. Its beneficial effects include prompt commencement and sustenance of HIV-positive treatment and care, better management of transmission risk, and disclosure of the HIV-positive status to significant others. Yet, no known study has explored this topic in Ghana; despite Ghana’s generalised HIV/AIDS infection rate. Existing studies have illuminated the effects of such reactions on affected significant others; not the infected.Methods: This paper studied qualitatively the initial reactions of 26 persons living with HIV/AIDS upon receiving the initial news of their diagnosis. Sample selection was combined purposive and random, from two hospitals in a district in Ghana heavily affected by HIV/AIDS. The paper applied the theory of hopelessness.Results: As expected, the vast majority of respondents reacted to the initial announcement of their HIV-positive infection with a myriad of negative psychosocial reactions, including thoughts of committing suicide. A few, however, received the news with resignation. For the vast majority of respondents, having comorbidities from AIDS prior to the diagnosis primarily shaped their initial reactions to it. This was followed by having/having had an HIV-positive spouse/partner, and exposure to health education on HIV/AIDS on TV particularly. Receiving counselling from healthcare workers mostly facilitated their transitioning to self-acceptance of their HIV-positive status.Conclusions: Although the first news of an HIV-positive diagnosis was immobilising to most respondents, the trauma faded, paving the way for beneficial public health actions. The findings do not wholly support earlier propositions of the theory of hopelessness. Rather, results indicate that both internal and external insecurities can trigger hopelessness in persons living with HIV/AIDS. The results imply the critical need for continuous education on HIV/AIDS by public health advocates, using mass media, particularly, TV. This should continuously emphasise the need for voluntary counseling and testing and the fact that once infected, prevention of further transmission, and immediate seeking and adhering to healthcare are important. These can prevent comorbidities and death from HIV infection. Healthcare workers in VCTs should empathise with persons who are informed of their HIV-positive status for the first time.

scholarly journals Immediate reactions of newly-diagnosed HIV-positive persons to the initial news of being HIV-positive: Implications for public health

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Adobea Yaa Owusu
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Healthcare Workers ◽  
Sample Selection ◽  
Significant Others ◽  
Safety Net ◽  
Transmission Risk ◽  
Hiv Positive ◽  
Positive Diagnosis ◽  
Persons Living With Hiv ◽  
Hiv Aids

Abstract Background: Ready acceptance of the first news of HIV-positive diagnosis is a known personal and public health safety-net. Its beneficial effects include prompt commencement and sustenance of HIV-positive treatment and care, better management of transmission risk, and disclosure of the HIV-positive status to significant others. Yet, no known study has explored this topic in Ghana; despite Ghana’s generalised HIV/AIDS infection rate. Existing studies have illuminated the effects of such reactions on affected significant others; not the infected.Methods: This paper studied qualitatively the initial reactions of 26 persons living with HIV/AIDS upon receiving the initial news of their diagnosis. Sample selection was combined purposive and random, from two hospitals in a district in Ghana heavily affected by HIV/AIDS. The paper applied the theory of hopelessness.Results: As expected, the vast majority of respondents reacted to the initial announcement of their HIV-positive infection with a myriad of negative psychosocial reactions, including thoughts of committing suicide. Yet, few of them received the news with resignation. For the vast majority of respondents, having comorbidities from AIDS prior to the diagnosis primarily shaped their initial reactions to their diagnosis. The respondents’ transitioning to self-acceptance of their HIV-positive status was mostly facilitated by receiving counselling from healthcare workers.Conclusions: Although the first news of an HIV-positive diagnosis was immobilising to most respondents, the trauma faded, paving the way for beneficial public health actions. The results imply the critical need for continuous education on HIV/AIDS by public health advocates, using mass media, particularly, TV. Healthcare workers in VCTs should empathise with persons who are informed of their HIV-positive status for the first time.

Dynamics of Hope in HIV/AIDS Affected People: An Exploration of Significant Others’ Experiences

2003 ◽  
Vol 17 (3) ◽  
pp. 191-205 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jari Kylmä ◽  
Katri Vehviläinen-Julkunen ◽  
Juhani Lähdevirta
Keyword(s):  
Human Life ◽  
Significant Others ◽  
Hiv Positive ◽  
People Living With Hiv ◽  
Basic Process ◽  
Reciprocal Relationships ◽  
Grounded Theory Method ◽  
Persons Living With Hiv ◽  
Living With Hiv ◽  
Hiv Aids

Hope is an important protective phenomenon in human life, particularly given that long-lasting despair or hopelessness may threaten human existence. However, previous knowledge on the topic related to people affected by HIV/AIDS is scant. The purpose of this study was to explore the dynamics of hope in significant others of people living with HIV/AIDS and persons living with HIV (PLWH) or AIDS (PLWA) from the perspective of significant others in Finland. Eleven interviews were conducted with six significant others. The data were analyzed using the grounded theory method. The dynamics of hope, as it emerged from the data, is constructed of three main elements: hope, despair, hopelessness, and their reciprocal relationships. An alternating balance between hope, despair, and hopelessness based on the factors contributing to them emerged as central in the dynamics of hope. The dynamics of hope are closely connected to the basic process of searching for one’s own way with HIV/AIDS, in becoming HIV-positive, and living with HIV/AIDS. In significant others, the dynamics of hope are closely connected to the basic process of HIV, changing from abstract to concrete in a relationship with a PLWH/PLWA.

scholarly journals Study On The Prevalence Of Pulmonary Tuberculosis Among Hiv Positive Attending Hiv Clinics In Eastern Nepal

1970 ◽  
Vol 8 (1) ◽  
pp. 1-8
Author(s):  
DK Yadav ◽  
N Jha ◽  
PK Pokharel ◽  
SR Niraula ◽  
SK Bhattacharya ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Pulmonary Tuberculosis ◽  
Risk Taking ◽  
Health Problem ◽  
Public Health Problem ◽  
Hiv Positive ◽  
People Living With Hiv ◽  
Risk Taking Behavior ◽  
Living With Hiv ◽  
Hiv Aids

Background: Tuberculosis (TB) is an infectious disease caused by Mycobacterium tuberculosis. More than 2 billion people are infected with TB bacilli worldwide. It is a leading public health problem particularly in the developing countries. The HIV epidemic has increased the global tuberculosis burden. TB is the commonest opportunistic infection and leading cause of mortality of People living with HIV (PLHA). Tuberculosis is a major public health problem in Nepal. The objective of the study is to determine prevalence of Pulmonary Tuberculosis among HIV positives attending HIV clinics in Eastern Nepal, and to assess the socio-demographic factors associated with TB and HIV/AIDS. Methodology: Cross-sectional prospective study was carried out among HIV positive attending different VCT and HIV clinics from Sunsari Morang and Jhapa district of Eastern Nepal. Face to face interview was performed and sputum sample were collected using convenience sampling technique. Data was collected from PLHA on related information on Socio-demographic profi le, risk taking behavior with the help of pretested semi-structured questionnaire. Univariate and bivariate analysis were performed using SPSS 15.0. Chi-squire test was performed to establish statistical signifi cance between dependent and independent variables. Results: Out of total 242 PLHA, 75.2% were males and 24.8% females; around half of them (48.8%) were in the age group of (30-39) yrs, 23% in (25-29) yrs, and 15.7% in (20-24) years. Prevalence of pulmonary tuberculosis was found to be 27.3% (n=66). PTB was high among IDU’s (48.6%), followed by clients of CSWs (21%), housewife (13.6%), highway truck drivers (10.6%) and CSWs (6%). Conclusion: Prevalence of PTB is very high among PLHA attending VCT & HIV clinics of Eastern Nepal. This study reveals that PTB is signifi cantly associated with increasing age, risk taking behavior and place of residence. There is urgent need of active case fi nding as well as periodic screening among people living with HIV/AIDS of this region to address HIV-associated TB morbidity and mortality. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3126/saarctb.v8i1.5885 SAARCTB 2011; 8(1): 1-8

scholarly journals Disclosure of HIV status by people living with HIV/AIDS in tertiary care hospital in Western Maharashtra

2020 ◽  
Vol 7 (7) ◽  
pp. 2691
Author(s):  
Sumit Lathwal ◽  
Saurabh Mahajan ◽  
Arun K. Yadav
Keyword(s):  
Tertiary Care Hospital ◽  
Tertiary Care ◽  
Hiv Positive ◽  
People Living With Hiv ◽  
Care Hospital ◽  
Hiv Status ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Persons Living With Hiv ◽  
Living With Hiv ◽  
Hiv Aids

Background: Disclosure is a planned and selective behavior that responds to the balance of potential risks and benefits of secrecy and disclosure of the person living with HIV. The disclosure of HIV status to sexual partners, family or friends, has been shown to be a potent stressor, as persons living with HIV/AIDS might fear negative reactions such as blame, rejection or violence. This study was carried out with an aim to study the patterns of HIV status disclosure and the problems related with it among the HIV positive patients admitted in a tertiary care hospital in Western Maharashtra.Methods: A cross-sectional descriptive, hospital based study carried out in a tertiary care hospital of Western Maharashtra from 01 October 2008 to 30 September 2010. A total of 92 consenting respondents admitted in the hospital were administered a pre tested semi-structured questionnaire to collect the data. The results were analysed using SPSS Ver 16.0.Results: Out of 74 married HIV positive individuals who had a chance to disclose their sero-status to spouse, 64 (86.5%, 95% CI-78.7% to 94.29%) voluntarily disclosed their HIV status to spouse while a small number i.e. 10 (13.5%, 95% CI- 05.71% to 21.29%) did not disclose their HIV status to spouse.Conclusions: This exploratory analysis suggests the need for tailoring interventions for improving disclosure decisions making and outcomes. Institutionalized measures need to be enforced judiciously to assist the HIV positive individuals to reveal their status to their wife and other members of their social group.

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