Experiences of Living with HIV: Social Stigma and Discrimination among HIV-Positive Mothers in Southern Thailand

ABSTRACT

@#Introduction: This paper discusses the lived experience of mothers living with HIV/AIDS in the southern region of Thailand. Methods: We employed semi-structured interviewing and drawing method with 30 HIV-positive mothers. Thematic analysis method was used to analyse the data. Results: Most mothers living with HIV found their HIV status through a blood test service at the Antenatal Care Clinic of local hospitals while some visited the doctors because their partner showed severe symptoms of illness. When they learnt about the infection, they experienced a great shock and feared that illness would be disclosed to others in the community. The women were concerned about keeping HIV secret because they would be blamed by people in locality, labeled as “disgusting” people, and excluded from social networks. Nevertheless, we found that social support played a crucial role in assisting these mothers to cope with their HIV status. Religious beliefs and living positively also helped them to deal with their health conditions. Conclusion: Health care providers should design sensitive programs to promote self-confidence for HIV-positive mothers as this could increase their quality of life. The findings revealed that tangible and emotional support from family members and religious sources, as well as positive thinking, played a significant role in supporting these women to deal with their health and well-being, and negative effect associated with their HIV condition. These can be incorporated into the provision of health care, which would enhance their well-being and reduce the feeling of isolation and discrimination among these vulnerable women.