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Background <p>Globally, over 37 million individuals are infected with Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV), with women disproportionately affected. Women Living With HIV (WLHIV) account for about 53% of all people living with HIV (PLHIV). This is due to factors like gender-based violence, stigma, socio-economic challenges, low economic status and gender disparities.</p> Purpose <p>This study explored the unheard lived experiences of WLHIV aged 20–40&#xa0;years in coping with an HIV-positive diagnosis. The analysis is conducted through a social work lens, focusing on the psychosocial and structural challenges to inform targeted public health and social work interventions.</p> Methods <p>This study utilised a qualitative phenomenological design, specifically hermeneutic phenomenology, which focuses on interpreting the meaning of lived experiences with 15 WLHIV from the Central Chronic Medication Dispensing and Distribution Programme (CCMDD) at the Winnie Mandela Clinic in Ekurhuleni, Gauteng Province, South Africa. Data was collected through semi-structured interviews and analysed using Tesch's approach, resulting in two main themes and six subthemes. The study ensured data accuracy and reliability through trustworthiness measures and adhered to ethical considerations throughout the research.</p> Findings <p>The study found that women living with HIV (WLHIV) face various challenges, including denial of their HIV status, blaming others, and lifestyle changes. Key difficulties include stigma, rejection, trust issues, and financial hardships. These negative influences can lead to poor treatment adherence and an increased risk of HIV-related deaths.</p> Conclusions and implications <p>The contributions of this study are diverse, providing significant benefits to academic, policy, and clinical fields. It is anticipated that the findings will assist in creating social work and public health interventions to support individuals facing these challenges and empower newly diagnosed women with HIV by equipping them with the skills to navigate these difficult experiences.</p>

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The unheard lived experiences of women living with HIV in Gauteng province, South Africa

  • 期刊论文

  • 出版模式：

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  • 发表日期：

    2026年1月31日

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  • Trevor Masevhege,
  • Rebecca Skhosana

摘要

Background

Globally, over 37 million individuals are infected with Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV), with women disproportionately affected. Women Living With HIV (WLHIV) account for about 53% of all people living with HIV (PLHIV). This is due to factors like gender-based violence, stigma, socio-economic challenges, low economic status and gender disparities.

Purpose

This study explored the unheard lived experiences of WLHIV aged 20–40 years in coping with an HIV-positive diagnosis. The analysis is conducted through a social work lens, focusing on the psychosocial and structural challenges to inform targeted public health and social work interventions.

Methods

This study utilised a qualitative phenomenological design, specifically hermeneutic phenomenology, which focuses on interpreting the meaning of lived experiences with 15 WLHIV from the Central Chronic Medication Dispensing and Distribution Programme (CCMDD) at the Winnie Mandela Clinic in Ekurhuleni, Gauteng Province, South Africa. Data was collected through semi-structured interviews and analysed using Tesch's approach, resulting in two main themes and six subthemes. The study ensured data accuracy and reliability through trustworthiness measures and adhered to ethical considerations throughout the research.

Findings

The study found that women living with HIV (WLHIV) face various challenges, including denial of their HIV status, blaming others, and lifestyle changes. Key difficulties include stigma, rejection, trust issues, and financial hardships. These negative influences can lead to poor treatment adherence and an increased risk of HIV-related deaths.

Conclusions and implications

The contributions of this study are diverse, providing significant benefits to academic, policy, and clinical fields. It is anticipated that the findings will assist in creating social work and public health interventions to support individuals facing these challenges and empower newly diagnosed women with HIV by equipping them with the skills to navigate these difficult experiences.