TY - JOUR
T1 - Living with HIV infection
T2 - Perceptions of patients with access to care at a non-governmental organization in Chennai, India
AU - Tarakeshwar, Nalini
AU - Krishnan, A. K.
AU - Johnson, Sethulakshmi
AU - Solomon, Suniti
AU - Sikkema, Kathleen
AU - Merson, Michael
PY - 2006/9
Y1 - 2006/9
N2 - Through interviews, we examined explanatory frameworks of living with HIV infection among 50 HIV-positive individuals (23 women, 27 men) receiving care at a non-governmental organization in Chennai, India. Results were analysed according to three sets of issues, all of which were found to differ by gender: causal beliefs about HIV, impact of HIV, and care/treatment of HIV. HIV-positive participants attributed their infection to biological, moral and social causes, and the physical, financial and relationship dimensions of their lives were impacted upon by the infection. Furthermore, HIV-related stigma evoked fears about isolation and discrimination. Regarding care/treatment, men were most usually first initiated into the healthcare system while women often entered as a consequence of their partner's condition. Non-adherence to medication was reported by 32% of the participants due to financial constraints or side-effects. Although all participants were hopeful about a cure for HIV, women were less positive than men about treatment. Results highlight the importance of a gender-sensitive approach to HIV care, nuanced to accommodate an individual's gender, marital status and social background.
AB - Through interviews, we examined explanatory frameworks of living with HIV infection among 50 HIV-positive individuals (23 women, 27 men) receiving care at a non-governmental organization in Chennai, India. Results were analysed according to three sets of issues, all of which were found to differ by gender: causal beliefs about HIV, impact of HIV, and care/treatment of HIV. HIV-positive participants attributed their infection to biological, moral and social causes, and the physical, financial and relationship dimensions of their lives were impacted upon by the infection. Furthermore, HIV-related stigma evoked fears about isolation and discrimination. Regarding care/treatment, men were most usually first initiated into the healthcare system while women often entered as a consequence of their partner's condition. Non-adherence to medication was reported by 32% of the participants due to financial constraints or side-effects. Although all participants were hopeful about a cure for HIV, women were less positive than men about treatment. Results highlight the importance of a gender-sensitive approach to HIV care, nuanced to accommodate an individual's gender, marital status and social background.
KW - Beliefs
KW - Care
KW - HIV/AIDS
KW - India
KW - Living with HIV
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U2 - 10.1080/13691050600859609
DO - 10.1080/13691050600859609
M3 - Article
C2 - 16923645
AN - SCOPUS:33747684138
SN - 1369-1058
VL - 8
SP - 407
EP - 421
JO - Culture, Health and Sexuality
JF - Culture, Health and Sexuality
IS - 5
ER -