“HIV resignifications” life history of a gay men after a diagnosis

Abstract

Goals: Recover the reinterpretations of "living with HIV" through the life story of a 38-year-old gay man with 7 years of diagnosis. 

Materials & Methods: Phenomenological study based on the life story of a gay man residing in the Metropolitan Area of Mexico. Through a semi-structured interview, experiences surrounding HIV are recovered. The phenomenological question guiding the study is "What has the experience with HIV been like?" 

Results: His most "significant" illness is HIV. Feeling that it "should not be a burden" is a caregiver's perspective, with self-demand and self-exigency leading him not to openly discuss his diagnosis with his family, prompting him to seek other support networks. Viewing HIV as a judgment that "should befall" people who are "more promiscuous or have more partners" is an idea that clashes with personal experiences, as well as ways of relating in both personal and professional contexts. Aging, living with HIV, and having a partner are current situations that relate to past experiences, assuming that living with HIV will lead to greater wear and tear. 

Conclusion: The reinterpretation of HIV is a dynamic process that individuals experience throughout their lives, mediated by socio-historical and individual contexts. Combating stigma is a collective and relational process between healthcare professionals and the population served.