title: Coping with HIV-related stigma in five African countries.
abstract: People living with HIV (PLWH) and their families are subjected to prejudice, discrimination, and hostility related to the stigmatization of AIDS. This report examines how PLWH cope with HIV-related stigma in the five southern African countries of Lesotho, Malawi, South Africa, Swaziland, and Tanzania. A descriptive qualitative research design was used to explore the experience of HIV-related stigma of PLWH and nurses in 2004. A total of 43 focus groups were conducted with 251 participants (114 nurses, 111 PLWH, and 26 volunteers). In describing incidents of stigma, respondents reported strategies used or observed to cope with those incidents. Nurse reports of coping strategies that they used as well as observed in HIV-infected patients were coded. Coping strategies used by PLWH in dealing with HIV-related stigma were coded. A total of 17 different self-care strategies were identified: restructuring, seeing oneself as OK, letting go, turning to God, hoping, changing behavior, keeping oneself active, using humor, joining a support or social group, disclosing one's HIV status, speaking to others with same problem, getting counseling, helping others to cope with the illness, educating others, learning from others, acquiring knowledge and understanding about the disease, and getting help from others. Coping appears to be self-taught and only modestly helpful in managing perceived stigma.
authors.affiliation: National University of Lesotho, South Africa.
authors.forename: Lucia N
authors.initials: LN
authors.lastname: Makoae
authors.forename: Minrie
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Greeff
authors.forename: René D
authors.initials: RD
authors.lastname: Phetlhu
authors.forename: Leana R
authors.initials: LR
authors.lastname: Uys
authors.forename: Joanne R
authors.initials: JR
authors.lastname: Naidoo
authors.forename: Thecla W
authors.initials: TW
authors.lastname: Kohi
authors.forename: Priscilla S
authors.initials: PS
authors.lastname: Dlamini
authors.forename: Maureen L
authors.initials: ML
authors.lastname: Chirwa
authors.forename: William L
authors.initials: WL
authors.lastname: Holzemer
mesh_terms: D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D000328:Adult; D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel / Q000208:ethnology*; D001294:Attitude to Health / Q000208:ethnology*; D013541:Eswatini; D005260:Female; D017144:Focus Groups; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000208:ethnology* / Q000517:prevention & control; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D007927:Lesotho; D008295:Malawi; D008297:Male; D009013:Morale; D015404:Nursing Methodology Research; D009740:Nursing Staff / Q000523:psychology*; D036301:Qualitative Research; D013019:South Africa; D013240:Stereotyping; D013636:Tanzania