RESUMO
In this study, we explore how individuals living with HIV in the Dominican Republic strive to live a 'normal' life and the consequences of this pursuit of normalcy. We conducted qualitative in-depth interviews with men (n = 20) and women (n = 20) living with HIV and receiving care at two urban clinics in Santo Domingo. We analysed the data using a combination of narrative analysis and thematic coding. We aimed to identify how fears and/or lived experiences with social rejection and HIV-related stigma and discrimination shaped participants' abilities to maintain social relationships, be economically productive and manage HIV within the context of sexual relationships. Participants used the discourse of una vida normal (a normal life) to frame their response to HIV. This pursuit of normality was driven by the social and economic pressures of living with a chronic condition in a context of HIV-related stigma; trying to keep things 'normal' further added to these pressures. We argue that the normal life discourse fails to recognise the dynamic and complex nature of negotiating this condition and may also create additional burdens for individuals living with HIV that could impact their wellbeing and preventive behaviours.
Assuntos
Infecções por HIV/psicologia , Parceiros Sexuais/psicologia , Estigma Social , Adulto , República Dominicana , Feminino , Infecções por HIV/tratamento farmacológico , Infecções por HIV/transmissão , Humanos , Masculino , Pesquisa QualitativaRESUMO
OBJECTIVES: The objectives of this study were to prioritize applicator design attributes among women in the Dominican Republic and South Africa, and to determine how preferences differed based on sociodemographic variables. GOAL: The goal was to identify acceptable microbicide applicator designs in 2 low-resource settings. STUDY DESIGN: We surveyed 895 women, randomly sampled from clinics in the Dominican Republic (n = 449) and South Africa (n = 446), with questions on sociodemographics, applicator attribute preferences, and price/design tradeoffs. RESULTS: Single-use design was the most valued attribute, and reusable design and low price were the least valued attributes in both populations. Preference for single-use design was associated with concern about reusable applicators spreading germs, secondary or higher education, older age, having children, and perception of moderate to high HIV risk. CONCLUSIONS: Acceptability factors related to microbicide delivery mechanisms should continue to be evaluated among potential microbicide users to directly inform product development and introduction of microbicides.