ABSTRACT
This qualitative study determined the essence of lived experiences of mothers diagnosed with Human Immunodeficiency virus in Pinoy Plus Inc. as to their journey towards battling the disease. Five (5) HIV-positive mothers between the ages of 38 to 63 were recruited for this study through the help of the chosen organization named Pinoy Plus Inc. The researcher utilized eleven (11) semi-structured interview questions validated with the expert in the field and face-to-face during the conduct of interviews. The research design used was qualitative with a phenomenology method as an approach. The participants of the study were selected using purposeful sampling technique based on meeting the study’s inclusion criteria. For the analysis of the data, the researcher used interpretative phenomenological analysis. As an output of the study, a proposed detailed program was made to address the needs of ensuring the psychosocial and psychological stability of the participants. Also, since HIV is one of the main health issues that the country is facing today, the researcher constructed campaign material in the form of leaflets in order to promote HIV awareness. After analyzing the data gathered from the testimonies of the mothers, eleven (11) essential themes emerged: Cognizance of Diagnosis; Emotional Disturbances; Ignorance on acquiring the disease; Psychological Convalescence; Disclosure of HIV status; Lifestyle modification; Social Rejections; Affirmation over Abomination; Typical mother-child relationship; Securing lives of their children; Experiential Advice. The findings of the study contributed new knowledge and provided the researcher with a thorough understanding of the lives of mothers with HIV. Based on the findings, support is needed by the participants in all the facets of their disease. The researcher encourages PLHIV to join organizations like Pinoy Plus Inc. which will serve as a support group that can help them in managing HIV diagnosis.
Keywords: Lived Experience, Mothers diagnosed with Human Immunodeficiency Virus
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