Resilience of people living with HIV/AIDS in Indonesia: a phenomenological study

Abstract

Background: HIV/AIDS is one of the most continuously developing communicable diseases in the world. The number of people diagnosed with HIV/AIDS is currently increasing worldwide, including in Indonesia. People living with HIV/AIDS (PLWHA) fall into a state of crisis, which signifies the difficulties of living with chronic pathological conditions. Resilience is one unique phenomenon observed among PLWHA in Indonesia, which further reveals the results of current health management and expectations of PLWHA for better health programmes.
Objective: This study aims to explore the mechanism of resilience in Indonesian PLWHA and the factors affecting that particular mechanism.
Method: This is a qualitative phenomenological study. Twenty-seven PLWHA were selected from a primary healthcare centre in Malang City, East Java, Indonesia. Participants were selected from various economic, social, and diverse sexual orientation backgrounds. Participants were informed about the conduct of the research and consented to take part in the interview.
Results: Diagnosis of HIV/AIDS signifies the beginning of psychological and social distress, the spiritual reaction after being diagnosed is a state of crisis, and the coping mechanism and understanding of life by PLWHA is a definite sign of resilience.
Conclusion: HIV/AIDS is a chronic progressive disease and induces the distinct mechanism of resilience in Indonesian society. Future healthcare and management of PLWHA will be required to support and motivate this mechanism to guide PLWHA into a more comfortable and healthy lifestyle.