Objective:
Using a sample of 56 HIV positive black African women, the study sought to explore the attitudes a HIV positive individual held towards persons with HIV and what the same individuals perceived the attitudes of their community to be towards individuals with HIV. The study also examined issues surrounding disclosure of HIV status and determined levels of psychological well being and health related quality of life.
Design:
A one group, cross sectional design, was used.
Methods:
Seven questionnaires were completed by the sample. In addition a small sub sample was interviewed about the factors affecting disclosure.
Results:
Respondents reported moderately liberal attitudes towards persons with HIV but perceived the community attitudes to be less liberal than their own. They had higher levels of HIV related mental distress, lower levels of support and poorer health related quality of life in comparison to other HIV samples. A mixture of social and psychological factors predicted mental health related quality of life and HIV distress. Disclosure decisions were considered to be affected by a range of factors including stigma management and the need to achieve psychological well being.
Conclusions and implications:
The results were discussed in terms of previous research. Implications for HIV positive African women were considered, with particular reference to the need for more cross culturally appropriate research
