Reconstructing occupation after HIV infection: Lessons from women's experiences

Abstract

For the majority of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) positive women in the United States, social and economic circumstances limit options for meaningful occupation and access to relevant healthrelated services. Quality of life is highly contingent upon the extent to which individuals can fulfil their life plans. This triangulated study explored relationships among HIV and acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) status, engagement in meaningful occupations, services associated with AIDS-related health care and self-reported quality of life for HIV positive women. Survey data from the Multidimensional Quality of Life Questionnaire for People with HIV was collected, along with numeric health indicators and narrative from two semi-structured interviews addressing occupation and health. In total, 15 women representing three cohorts along the illness trajectory of HIV and AIDS were recruited from an urban health-care facility designed to provide AIDS-related services. Most of the women in the study relayed a protracted process of learning to live with HIV and several of the women viewed HIV infection as an event that led to enhanced quality of life. The need for comprehensive health and support services was evident in every case, regardless of health status.