Exploring the experience of people living with HIV in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam

• Main Author: Nguyen, Phuoc Tho
• Format: text
• Language: English
• Published: Animo Repository 2010
• Subjects: HIV-positive persons—Vietnam—Ho Chi Minh City—Social conditions; HIV-positive persons—Vietnam—Ho Chi Minh City—Psychology; Counseling Psychology; Psychology
• Online Access: https://animorepository.dlsu.edu.ph/etd_doctoral/1478
• Institution: De La Salle University

This study explored the experiences of people living with HIV in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam. Ten (10) persons infected with HIV (five males and five females, ranging in age from 26 to 38) participated in the study. The researcher used a case study research design, and collected data through in-depth interviews and observation. The content analysis of the data revealed that the participants experienced negative feelings, thoughts, and behaviors after learning of their HIV infection and disclosing their condition to others. The respondents blamed themselves for the infection that made them subject to discrimination. Their parents and siblings continued to love and support them but they felt abandoned by others. Because of their condition, they felt depressed, isolated, and suicidal. In addition, they experienced guilt, anger, and shame. To minimize the negative impacts of these feelings, the respondents found their own coping strategies which depended on how stressful the situation was for them. The more the respondents felt depressed, the more aggressively they behaved to cope with the HIV infection. Based on the findings of the study, the researcher proposed a counseling intervention program.