Traumatic Experiences of Women Living with HIV/AIDS in Ghana

Abstract

Background: Trauma faced by women infected with HIV and AIDS poses great challenge to the coordinated fight against HIV and AIDS. Traumatising events impacting people living with HIV and AIDS, most notably women, impede diagnosis, prevention and treatment efforts.Methods: The study set out to investigate the lifethreatening experiences of thirty-eight women living with HIV and AIDS in the Lower Manya Krobo District of the Eastern Region, Ghana. The study used focus-groups as method of data collection. The data was analysed through theme identification and grouping, along with selection of relevant quotes.Results: The study revealed five major lifethreatening experiences of the women: disclosure, mental ill-health, isolation, stigmatisation and financial challenges. The study concluded that women living with HIV and AIDS suffer enormous psychological burden of the pandemic in addition to physical challenges. However, it is the social burden of the pandemic that contributes significantly tothe eventual death of the victims rather than the disease itself.Conclusion: Consequently, HIV and AIDS education campaign should be intensified using a variety of media, targeting those social issues identified in this research as part of the efforts to fight the disease.