title: Securing and sustaining employment: concerns of HIV patients in Singapore.
abstract: Employment sustainability is one of the most pressing issues inflicting people living with HIV (PLHIV). A qualitative approach was used to elucidate the perceived challenges in sustaining their employment and the perceived barriers in re-entering the workforce for HIV patients. In-depth interviews were conducted with 16 patients from an acute hospital in Singapore. The main challenges raised in sustaining employment were: (1) ability to ensure secrecy of diagnosis from employers, (2) ability to secure financial resources for treatment and sustenance, (3) ability to ensure stable health to meet job requirements, (4) ability to cognitively sit with the concerns of uncertainty and limitations in career, and (5) ability to work through discriminatory workplace practices. The perceived barriers in gaining workforce re-entry were: (1) fear of pre-employment medical screening and potential discriminatory practices at workplace, (2) concerns over health (frequent hospital admissions, physical weakness, and existing medical co-morbidities), and (3) psychosocial challenges (unstable accommodation, older age, financial issues, and trade skills limitation). The overarching factor that influences the success of sustaining and securing an employment among HIV patients is secrecy of the diagnosis. The individuals' health status, financial status and access to healthcare, and other psychosocial challenges further compound the issue.
authors.affiliation: a Department of Medical Social Services , Singapore General Hospital , Singapore.
authors.forename: Si Ying
authors.initials: SY
authors.lastname: Tan
authors.forename: Lai Meng
authors.initials: LM
authors.lastname: Ow Yong
authors.forename: Jasmin Yuet Ee
authors.initials: JY
authors.lastname: Foong
authors.forename: Nicole Huay Sze
authors.initials: NH
authors.lastname: Wong
authors.forename: Li Ling
authors.initials: LL
authors.lastname: Chew
authors.forename: Yin Ling
authors.initials: YL
authors.lastname: Koh
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D015897:Comorbidity; D003219:Confidentiality / Q000523:psychology*; D030881:Disclosure; D004651:Employment; D005260:Female; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000191:economics / Q000523:psychology* / Q000628:therapy; D006297:Health Services Accessibility / Q000191:economics*; D006801:Humans; D007407:Interviews as Topic; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D036301:Qualitative Research; D012846:Singapore; D064890:Social Determinants of Health; D063508:Social Discrimination / Q000191:economics / Q000523:psychology*; D057545:Social Stigma