Title:
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Disclosure of HIV status - a qualitative analysis of the experiences of immigrant women living with HIV in the UK
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The present study employed qualitative methodology in order to explore the
experiences of HIV disclosure among immigrant women living with HIV in the UK.
It aimed to explore individual, relational and contextual factors influencing
disclosure process. In-depth semi-structured interviews were conducted with six
immigrant women living with HIV in the UK and Interpretative Phenomenological
Analysis (IPA) was used to analyse the data. The study identified four main
themes reflecting women's experiences of HIV disclosure: (1) stigma,
discrimination and disclosure; (2) dealing with the negative outcomes of
disclosure; (3) disclosure as a relational process and (4) positive outcomes of
disclosure. Overall, the findings highlight the complexity of the disclosure process
and the multiple factors impacting on HIV disclosure. One of the most striking
findings is the impact of stigma and discrimination on HIV disclosure and the
extent to which women in the present study experience 'double stigma' - as
people living with HIV within African communities and as immigrants within the
UK. Another aspect reflected in women's accounts is the relationship between
disclosure and adjustment to HIV diagnosis. Thus, disclosure is viewed as both
depending on and contributing to adjustment to HIV diagnosis. Furthermore,
women's disclosure decision making process is embedded in the interpersonal
relationships and highlights multiple relational factors influencing women's
decisions, including reactions of others, fear of rejection, the nature of relationship
and timing of disclosure. Finally, women's disclosure is characterised by their
sense of responsibility towards protecting others. The study outcomes are
discussed in relation to the existing literature and the findings unique to this study
are highlighted. The implications of the findings are discussed in relation to
clinical practice and support for immigrant women living with HIV in the UK.
Furthermore, suggestions for the future research are outlined.
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