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Document 2010
DOCN M94A2010
TI Psychosocial stressors affecting the quality of life of HIV seropositive
Puerto Rican gay men after diagnosis.
DT 9412
AU Ortiz-Colon R; Marin B; Univ. of Puerto Rico, Rio Piedras.
SO Int Conf AIDS. 1994 Aug 7-12;10(1):400 (abstract no. PD0207). Unique
Identifier : AIDSLINE ICA10/94370565
AB OBJECTIVE: The prevalence of AIDS and HIV in Puerto Rico is one of the
highest in the world, with more than 12,000 confirmed cases of AIDS in
an island population of 3.5 million people. Very little is known about
the psychosocial stressors threatening the quality of life of HIV
seropositive Puerto Rican gay men, about the mechanisms they use to
buffer stress and maintain health or about how they cope with HIV and
AIDS after diagnosis. The present research explored these issues,
specificially among Puerto Rican gay men with HIV/AIDS. METHODS: Twelve
Puerto Rican HIV seropositive men were interviewed qualitatively
concerning the impact of their seropositivity upon their daily lives.
Participants were recruited through collaboration with AIDS service
agencies and other snowballing techniques. They narrated their
experiences after diagnosis, which were then submitted to content
analysis. RESULTS: Several categories were gleaned from their narratives
regarding their most stressful situations: disclosure of their HIV
status to primary and casual sexual partners; lack of adequate,
gay-sensitive, and informed medical care from attending physicians after
diagnosis; consistent condom use in all their sexual encounters; and
social and sexual isolation from others. All (100%) had problems with
disclosure of their HIV status, even to significant others, like close
family, intimate friends and long-time lovers. About 75% reported
relapse to unsafe sex, especially unprotected receptive anal sex, after
having practiced safe sex for about six months after diagnosis. 70%
reported a poor relationship with their primary health care provider,
due to their physicians' apparent insensitivity to gayness and
homophobia. DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSIONS: Results suggest an urgent need
to counsel and follow HIV seropositive gay men for an extended period
after receiving the diagnosis. After an initial period of responsiveness
and of adaptation to the results, it appears that asymptomatic or mildly
symptomatic HIV+ Puerto Rican gay men relapse to unsafe sex, and have
many difficulties disclosing their status to loved ones in their support
network. Future research needs to focus more closely on this phenomenon,
as well as on the quality and closeness of the relationship between
people with HIV/AIDS and their physicians.
DE Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome/DIAGNOSIS/*PSYCHOLOGY
Homosexuality/*PSYCHOLOGY Human HIV
Seropositivity/DIAGNOSIS/*PSYCHOLOGY Male Physician-Patient Relations
Prejudice Puerto Rico *Quality of Life Sex Behavior Sick Role
Social Support Stress, Psychological/*COMPLICATIONS Truth Disclosure
MEETING ABSTRACT
SOURCE: National Library of Medicine. NOTICE: This material may be
protected by Copyright Law (Title 17, U.S.Code).