A mixed method study to explore the perceived stress and resilience and quality of life and to identify the barriers to resilience among women living with HIV AIDS in selected city of Maharashtra

Abstract

HIV/AIDS (acquired immuno deficiency syndrome) is one of the world s most concerning newlineproblems related to public health. Numerous empirical studies demonstrate the role of stress newlineand stressful events on greater disease progression, lower CD4 cell counts, higher viral loads newlineand poorer treatment adherence whereas resilience is seen to contribute to the functional, newlineemotional and physical wellness; thereby improving quality of life of individuals suffering with newlinethe disease. Women are considered to be at higher risk of contracting HIV/ AIDS due to the newlinesocio-economic factors such as early marriage, violence against women like rape, sexual abuse, newlinefinancial dependence and gender disparity at certain communities. This makes it crucial to newlineunderstand how perceived stress, their resilience and quality of life impact on their health newlineoutcomes. Besides, understanding the barriers to resilience specific to women living with newlineHIV/AIDS can further help in promoting resilience building strategies among them. Therefore, newlinea study was undertaken to assess the perceived stress, quality of life, resilience and explore its newlinebarriers among women living with HIV/AIDS. newlineMaterial and Methods: A mixed method approach with explanatory sequential design was newlineadopted for the study. The perceived stress, resilience, quality of life and its association among newlinewomen living with HIV/AIDS was measured quantitatively using descriptive cross-sectional newlinedesign whereas barriers to resilience was measured qualitatively with phenomenological newlineresearch design. Samples were selected using nonprobability purposive sampling technique. newlineFor the quantitative phase, after taking informed written consent from the samples, data was newlinegathered from 255 samples who fulfilled the sample selection criteria and visited the ART newlinecenter of a district in Maharashtra. The data collection tool used for the quantitative phase newlineconsisted of demographic profile, WHO QOL HIV BREF Scale, HIV Stress scale and newlineResilience scale for HIV/AIDS.