The lived experiences of women diagnosed with HIV in the antenatal period in a rural area

[摘要] ENGLISH ABSTRACT:BackgroundIn South Africa women are diagnosed with HIV at antenatal clinics and simultaneously initiated on antiretroviral treatment (ART). An HIV diagnosis together with the initiation of ART have an emotional impact on the pregnant woman that may influence how she will cope with the pregnancy as well as her adherence to a treatment plan. Only a few studies in South Africa have focused on the experiences of pregnant women in rural settings who have tested HIV positive in pregnancy. 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.MethodsA qualitative approach with a descriptive phenomenological design was utilized to explore the lived experiences of women who were diagnosed with HIV in the antenatal period. The study applied purposive sampling to select participants from the Matatiele community clinic, in the Eastern Cape. The Health Research Ethics Committee of Stellenbosch University and the Department of Health of the Eastern Cape granted permission for conducting the study. Ten semi-structured interviews were conducted, transcribed and analysed using Colaizzi's framework. Four themes emerged from the data.ResultsThe themes that emerged were: reality hits raw, a loneliness that hurts, hope for a fractured tomorrow and support of a few. The reality of an HIV diagnosis was a life changing event. Participants experienced a painful loneliness even though they had support from a few significant people in their life. Although for some an HIV diagnosis meant a death sentence, the love and concern for the unborn child's safety provided a fractured hope for the future.ConclusionAn HIV diagnosis during pregnancy remains a life altering experience for women. By improving the support systems in health facilities such as counselling services and the mental health skills of midwives, the experience of pregnancy could be more positive for women who are diagnosed with HIV during pregnancy.

[发布机构] Stellenbosch University