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Navigating Life with HIV as an Older Adult in South African Communities: A Phenomenological Study

Author

Listed:
  • Naomi Hlongwane

    (Department of Public Health, Sefako Makgatho Health Sciences University, P.O. Box 215 Medunsa 0403, Pretoria 0001, South Africa)

  • Sphiwe Madiba

    (Department of Public Health, Sefako Makgatho Health Sciences University, P.O. Box 215 Medunsa 0403, Pretoria 0001, South Africa)

Abstract

The study explored how older adults experience an HIV diagnosis, deal with issues of stigma and disclosure, and navigate the healthcare system. Descriptive phenomenology was used to collect data from 20 older adults receiving antiretroviral treatment in health facilities in Gauteng Province, South Africa. Data analysis was inductive and followed the thematic approach. After diagnosis with HIV, the older adults experienced shock and disbelief, internalized their new reality of being HIV-positive, and found it difficult to disclose their HIV status. Stigma was embedded in their patterns of disclosure, and they chose not to disclose in order to manage stigma, protect their status, and maintain their privacy. Moreover, nondisclosure allowed them to achieve some normality in their lives without the fear of rejection. The older adults adopted various survival skills that aided them to accept their HIV status. Self-acceptance was important for the older adults who did not want to feel cheated out of life by the HIV diagnosis. The positive supportive attitudes of the healthcare professionals provided the much-needed support network for the older adults immediately after they had received their HIV test results. This was instrumental in their acceptance of their HIV status, their adherence to clinic visits, and their ability to live a healthy, positive life.

Suggested Citation

  • Naomi Hlongwane & Sphiwe Madiba, 2020. "Navigating Life with HIV as an Older Adult in South African Communities: A Phenomenological Study," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(16), pages 1-14, August.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:17:y:2020:i:16:p:5797-:d:397214
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Christine S Autenrieth & Eduard J Beck & Dominik Stelzle & Christoforos Mallouris & Mary Mahy & Peter Ghys, 2018. "Global and regional trends of people living with HIV aged 50 and over: Estimates and projections for 2000–2020," PLOS ONE, Public Library of Science, vol. 13(11), pages 1-11, November.
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    Cited by:

    1. Mathildah Mokgatle & Sphiwe Madiba, 2023. "Community Perceptions of HIV Stigma, Discriminatory Attitudes, and Disclosure Concerns: A Health Facility-Based Study in Selected Health Districts of South Africa," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 20(14), pages 1-15, July.
    2. Nayoon Lee & Hyun-Ju Lee, 2020. "South Korean Nurses’ Experiences with Patient Care at a COVID-19-Designated Hospital: Growth after the Frontline Battle against an Infectious Disease Pandemic," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(23), pages 1-22, December.
    3. Peter M. Mphekgwana & Musa E. Sono-Setati & Tania V. Mokgophi & Yehenew G. Kifle & Sphiwe Madiba & Perpetua Modjadji, 2023. "Retrospective Analysis of the Outcome of Hospitalized COVID-19 Patients with Coexisting Metabolic Syndrome and HIV Using Multinomial Logistic Regression," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 20(10), pages 1-15, May.

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