5,247 research outputs found
The reconstruction of identity in people living with HIV in Nepal : a thesis submitted in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy, Massey University, Albany, New Zealand
This research is about the experiences of people living with HIV (PLHIV) in Nepal,
especially with regard to the processes of reconstructing their identities. The processes
of identity reconstruction include migration, concealing and disclosing HIV status,
movement towards economic independence, gaining knowledge on Human Immunodeficiency
Virus (HIV) and Acquired Immuno-deficiency Syndrome (AIDS), practising
HIV treatment, receiving support of organizations, and practising spirituality. Despite
the availability of some studies on HIV and AIDS in Nepal, most have focused on
epidemiological facts. There is a dearth of Nepalese HIV and AIDS literature on
identity reconstruction of PLHIV.
This study investigated the lived experiences of 33 PLHIV related to their HIV stigma,
discrimination and identity issues in Kathmandu and Pokhara valleys in Nepal, using
semi-structured, face-to–face, in-depth interviews. The field data were analysed using a
thematic, meaning-making approach. This research contributes to HIV literature by
showing that the economic stigma and discrimination due to HIV experienced within a
family are often stronger than social stigma and discrimination. This research proposes
a model entitled “the reconstruction of identity in PLHIV in Nepal”, based on the data
derived in an inductive way from the two research sites, then moving from data to
theory. There are various stages of identity ranging from spoiled to reconstructed. This
proposed identity model is based on the economic and social empowerment of the
PLHIV, together with identity transformation from one stage to another, and the
situations participants experience in the contemporary Nepalese socio-political context.
The identity of PLHIV is fluid and non-linear. This research suggests that access to
resources often determines the degree of family and social stigma and discrimination.
Moreover, PLHIV also reunite with both family and society after becoming
economically independent and socially empowered. Indeed, HIV has been a catalyst,
especially for in-migrant women with limited access to resources. This study has
significant policy implications for improving the quality of life for PLHIV, reducing
family and social stigma and discrimination as well as reconstructing their identity in
Nepal, and in South Asian countries with similar socio-cultural and economic settings
Climate change and disaster impact reduction
Based on papers presented at the 'UK - South Asia Young Scientists and Practitioners Seminar on Climate Change and Disaster Impact Reduction' held at Kathmandu, Nepal on 5-6 June, 2008
A Note on Kuhn's Theorem with Ambiguity Averse Players
Kuhn's Theorem shows that extensive games with perfect recall can
equivalently be analyzed using mixed or behavioral strategies, as long as
players are expected utility maximizers. This note constructs an example that
illustrate the limits of Kuhn's Theorem in an environment with ambiguity averse
players who use maxmin decision rule and full Bayesian updating.Comment: 7 figure
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