LIFE AFTER HIV: LIVED EXPERIENCES OF HIV POSITIVES WITH SUPPORT GROUPS Mary Sandie Jaymie F.

Mahusay (principal author) Kenneth Paul C. Lim Sr. Aldina Geraldo Nguendalelie College of the Holy Spirit of Manila College of Nursing sandiebest@yahoo.com/09056755884 Abstract - The number of Human Immunodeficiency Virus/ Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (HIV/AIDS) cases has been a growing since 1984. In the Philippines alone, there were about more than seven thousand cases recorded. In July 2011, there were 204 newly diagnosed sero-positives, unless people will be more careful with their practices, the population of people living with HIV/AIDS (PLWHA) by the year 2015 will increase five-folds. Despite the sudden increase, there are still few studies that have been conducted on the lives of the PLWH. Being tested and diagnosed as HIV positive places a great burden mainly on their self-esteem, their role-relationship pattern and as well as having affected their social well-being. Most that is compromised is these peoples relationship. When someone is carrying the disease it can be difficult for them to start new relationships and, in some cases, maintain existing ones. Not everyone will experience all of the emotional responses or stages of the emotional responses experienced by one person to another. Each HIV/AIDS situation is as unique as the people involved. Many people who live with AIDS or HIV also have to live with the stigma of how other people may treat them. This may stem from certain individuals not being completely educated on the basics of the disease or the virus. This qualitative study utilizes a phenomenological-hermeneutic design to be able to capture the totality of the human experience with the emphasis on the mental, physical and emotional aspect for the individual. For this study, a purposive sampling technique was used to recruit research participants where in the five (5) inclusion criteria that were considered are 1) Ages between 20-55 years old. 2) Is affected with HIV. 3) Has HIV for at least 5 years 4) Attending a support group or is part of an HIV awareness organization. 5) Willingness to participate in the study. The key informant interview was used in the data collection. Significant meanings were extracted from the descriptions and meanings were then formulated from the statements and theme clusters were then made which led to exhaustive description and these (4) four major themes arose: Emotional variances, rolerelationship, coping and spirituality and (13) thirteen subthemes: fear and anxiety, discrimination, family, society, acceptance, support group, treatment, healing, employment, opportunities, self-worth, spiritual doubt and spiritual recovery. To conclude this study, despite the decrease threat of failing health and death, we illustrated in this paper that people are continuing to be confronted by struggles, problems and challenging issues related to HIV that undermine their subjective lived experiences having to make sense of complex issues embedded in living with a disease for which there is no cure. So far we have come to understand the struggle of our brothers and sisters in their way of living through their sharing, acceptance, forgiveness of going beyond their limitations, as was expressed by themselves in this phenomenological study. The support, friends and other people are a source of strength and inspirations were they draw energy to continue living their lives to the fullness and cope with it and ready to face the world with new look. After listening to them, this experience also will help

us to be more conscious and be involved in propagating awareness to the people around us especially to the youth.