Experience of Stigma by Women Infected with HIV by Their Husbands: A Qualitative Study

Abstract

Background: HIV/AIDS stigma continues to be a social problem. Among infected patients, women who are infected with HIV by their husbands live in different conditions. Objectives: The aim of this study was to explore the psychosocial experiences of this population group. Patients and Methods: A qualitative study was conducted in Shiraz, Iran, to explore the experience of 10 women with HIV/AIDS. The data were gathered through two focus group discussions and analyzed using the conventional content analysis method. Results: The name HIV/AIDS entails severe fear called onomatophobia. In addition, social stigma, discrimination, and self-stigma were found to be experienced by the participants. Among those experiences, discrimination in health sectors and onomatophobia were most agonizing. Accordingly, the subjects reported they did not tend to disclose their problem in the society. Conclusions: Women with HIV/AIDS are faced with certain psychosocial pressures, and it is required to reduce discrimination and inequity against them. Alongside social attention, social work support and psychological counseling are suggested for these patients. In addition, health policymakers should pay more attention to this issue.