Diagnosis and stigma and identity amongst HIV positive Black Africans living in the UK

Abstract

Individual in-depth, semi-structured interviews with 30 HIV positive Black Africans were conducted in London, UK. The interviews focused upon experiential accounts of living with HIV. The interviews were transcribed and analysed for recurrent themes using interpretative phenomenological analysis. The social context of being a Black African living in the UK emerged as an important framework within which the experience of being HIV positive was positioned. In terms of people's accounts of their own experiences of living with HIV, diagnosis figured as an important moment in people's lives. The majority of participants were surprised and upset upon receiving their positive antibody test results. Many reported a period of depression and social isolation. Stigma and prejudice associated with HIV also emerged as a major force shaping the daily lives of the participants. We discuss the role of identity and social context in disrupting the medical meaning of diagnostic tests.

Keywords:

• HIV
• IPA
• Black Africans in the UK
• diagnostic tests
• identity

Acknowledgements

Thanks to all the participants and Thandi Haruperi and Winnie Sseruma. Thanks also to Christina Knussen, Claire Marriott, Rhonda Milligan and Barbara Duncan for their comments relating to earlier drafts. This research was funded through the Economic and Social Research Council's Innovative Health Technology Programme. Award reference number L218 25 2011.

Notes

¹We realise that the term ‘Africans’ is potentially problematic as it implies homogeneity in often very heterogeneous cultures, identities and individuals. However, for the sake of brevity we have adopted the term Black African within this article.