The Lived Experiences of Stigmatization in the Process of HIV Status Disclosure among People Living with HIV in Taiwan

Chia-Hui Yu, Chu-Yu Huang, Nai-Ying Ko, Heng-Hsin Tung, Hui-Man Huang and Su-Fen Cheng
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Chia-Hui Yu: School of Nursing, College of Medicine, Chung Shan Medical University, Taichung 40201, Taiwan
Chu-Yu Huang: School of Nursing, Cedarville University, Cedarville, OH 45314, USA
Nai-Ying Ko: Departments of Nursing, College of Medicine, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan 70101, Taiwan
Heng-Hsin Tung: College of Nursing, National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University, Taipei 11219, Taiwan
Hui-Man Huang: School of Nursing, Tzu Chi University of Science and Technology, Hua-lien 970302, Taiwan
Su-Fen Cheng: Department of Allied Health Education and Digital Learning, National Taipei University of Nursing and Health Sciences, Taipei 11219, Taiwan

IJERPH, 2021, vol. 18, issue 10, 1-12

Abstract: People living with HIV (PLWH) face social stigma which makes disclosure of HIV status difficult. The purpose of this descriptive qualitative study was to understand the lived experiences of stigmatization in the process of disease disclosure among PLWH in Taiwan. Analysis of the semi-structured interviews from 19 PLWH in Taiwan revealed two phases and six themes. Phase one “experiences before disclosure” involved three themes: “Struggles under the pressure of concealing the HIV Status”, “Torn between fear of unemployment/isolation and desire to protect closed ones”, and “Being forced to disclose the HIV status.” Phase two “experiences after disclosure” included three themes: “Receiving special considerations and requirements from school or work”, “Receiving differential treatments in life and when seeking medical care”, and “Stress relief and restart.” Healthcare professionals need to assess stigmatization in PLWH and develop individualized approaches to assist with the disease disclosure process.

Keywords: PLWH; HIV stigma; content analysis; HIV disclosure (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2021
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (1)

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