The effect of HIV on patients’ lives: a phenomenological qualitative study

ABSTRACT

Introduction

Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection poses a significant threat to the immune system, compromising the body’s ability to combat diseases and infections. The Ministry of Health in Saudi Arabia reported an HIV incidence rate of 3 cases per 10,000 individuals. This study aimed to gain insight into the lived experience of Saudi patients living with HIV.

Methods

Employing a qualitative phenomenological approach, this study conducted in-depth interviews with 16 HIV patients (10 men, 6 women) between January 2023 and May 2023.

Results

Thematic data analysis highlighted three overarching themes and four subthemes. “Fear of the Future” encompassed subthemes including the fear of infecting a family member, fear of marriage, fear of employment recruitment, and fear of scandals. “Hopelessness” reflected the profound emotional state experienced by patients. “Overcoming Adversity” captured the resilience and strength demonstrated by individuals facing the challenges of living with HIV.

Conclusion

Saudi patients diagnosed with HIV encounter numerous obstacles in their daily lives. The fear of the future, including concerns such as infecting family members, marriage prospects, employment opportunities, and potential social repercussions, significantly impacts their overall well-being. By understanding the lived experience of HIV patients in Saudi Arabia, healthcare providers and policymakers can better support and enhance the quality of life for this population.

KEYWORDS:

• Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)
• fear
• hopelessness
• qualitative phenomenological
• Saudi Arabia

Disclosure statement

The authors have no relevant financial or non-financial interests to disclose.

Ethics approval and consent to participate

The research was approved by the Institutional Review Board of the Ministry of Health, Saudi Arabia, IRB log No: 23–015. All participants provided informed consent in accordance with the Declaration of Helsinki. Also, all methods were performed in accordance with the relevant journal guidelines. They were guaranteed the right to withdraw from the research at any time and the confidentiality of their personal information.

Informed consent statement

All participants signed informed consent forms. The participants were allowed to withdraw from the study at any point and were not obligated to respond to any questions.

Authors’ contributions

NA: Conceptualization, Methodology, Investigation, Data Curation, Visualization, Data analysis, Project administration, Writing- Original draft preparation, and Writing- Reviewing and Editing. AA: Conceptualization, Methodology, Investigation, Data Curation, Visualization, Data analysis, Project administration, Writing- Original draft preparation, and Writing- Reviewing and Editing.

Availability of data and materials

The data that support the findings of this study are available from the corresponding author upon reasonable request.

Additional information

Funding

The author(s) reported there is no funding associated with the work featured in this article.

Notes on contributors

Naif S. Alzahrani

Dr. Naif S. Alzahrani is an assistant professor at the College of Nursing-Taibah University. Dr. Alzahrani’s research interests are hopelessness, chronic diseases, HIV, lived experiences, and nursing education. Dr. Alzahrani graduated from Saint Louis University, MO, USA, with a Ph.D. in nursing. He is also a board-certified Clinical Nurse Leader.

Abdulaziz Mofdy Almarwani

Dr. Abdulaziz Mofdy Almarwani is an associate professor in the College of Nursing at Taibah University in Saudi Arabia. Dr. Almarwani has been involved in nursing since 2005 when he was enrolled in his first nursing degree in Saudi Arabia. Dr. Almarwani is interested in conducting research in the fields of nursing education, psychiatric nursing, and cardiovascular care. Dr. Almarwani graduated from the University of Akron in Ohio, USA, with a Ph.D. in Nursing Science.