Experiences and coping strategies of women living with HIV/AIDS

Abstract

Abstract provided by author:

The aim of this study is to explore the experiences and coping strategies of a group of women living with HIV/AIDS in Namibia. The study utilized qualitative research methods. The data was collected through 2 focus group discussions with a total of 12 women in the Khomas region, between the ages of 15 to 49 living with HIV/AIDS. The in-depth interviews were held with 5 key informants drawn from institutions working with HIV/AIDS issues in Namibia. Qualitative thematical analysis was used to analyse and interpret the data

Based on the findings of the study, it is evident that the participants are mostly concerned about the future and care of their children. They indicate that social and cultural expectations, violence as a consequence of their infection, lack of social and personal support and skewed gender relations are major barriers to their ability to cope adequately with their illness. Despite the presence of HIV / AIDS in the country for 11 years, it appears that HIV / AIDS is still highly stigmatized, with women often being blamed for the spread of the disease. Due to the stigmatization and negative responses from close family members and society as a whole, participants experience, among others, feelings of loneliness, anger, anxiety and depression. As a result, they are afraid to enlist support by disclosing their status, fearing abandonment and rejection by their partners, family and society, as well as violent reactions from partners if they inform them (partners) of their HIV status. It was also found that there are misconceptions of being pregnant as women seek social validation and acceptance through motherhood as a result of social or family pressures. However the misconception surrounding pregnancy can also be ascribed to the announcement of the mother-to-child-transmission programme by the Ministry of Health and Social Services early this year (2002)

The findings of the study further confirm and found that coping strategies of women in Namibia were primarily influenced by socio-cultural expectations. Women cope better at organizational level then personal levels. At the same time women's willingness to cope with the disease was found to be dependent on male partners cooperation as disclosure of a persons status could be accompanied by violence. The main coping strategies utilized are support groups and religious solace, as rejection or blame of infection is not experienced. Support systems have also been found to be more prevalent at organizational then personal levels as family members have in most cases ostracized persons living with the virus. Other participants have however experienced support at personal levels especially from grandmothers in the form of childcare

The study makes a number of recommendations, among others the inclusion and education of men in reproductive health issues, as it will encourage shared responsibility. Women and people living with HIV / AIDS should be educated about the services and support systems available including positive aspects of utilizing support services. Marketing strategies of HIV / AIDS issues thus need to be restructured in order to reach all people. The needs and issues affecting people living with HIV / AIDS should also be expose in order to encourage positive thinking, break down the stigma and lobby family and social support. These recommendations will assist us to create an enabling environment where responses to women living with HIV / AIDS are more sensitive and their needs more visible