Life Experiences of Women (Housewives) Diagnosed Hiv – Aids in Serang

Abstract

Background: HIV transmitted to the housewives who are not in sexual high risk behavior affects to the complicated and unique problem. It does not only trigger psychological, physical, social and spirituality problems but also the problem of responsibility to take care of their children and family. Objective: To explore the experiences of housewives infected with HIV in order find the new insights. The findings are expected to be the references in either educational or health care service of HIV patients. Methods: The research is qualitative-and the study design is phenomenological. The data were collected by using in-depth interview method upon 7 HIV-infected women in coastal area of Serang and Rangkasbitung. The data analysis used Colaizzi. Results: The results of the study showed 3 themes, including the unknowing of HIV information, losing a partner and the desire to get married, self-stigmatized and child-discrimination concern, telling the family members regarding the patients’ HIV status and the treatment, and preparing for death. Several experiences of HIV-infected women covered physics, socio-psychology and spirituality. The new themes were discovered, including heredity, unknowing of HIV information before HIV-diagnosis, telling the family members regarding the patients’ HIV status and the treatment, and preparing for death. Conclusion: Therefore, it is important for counselors to provide holistic and complete care in order to develop aprogramorexploringadiscussiontopicofHIV-infected women in counseling program.