The Experience of Aging Living with HIV in Spain: A Phenomenological Study Juan M. Leyva(a*), Juanse Hernandez(b), Miguel Vazquez(b), Francesc Martinez(b), Marta Villar(b)
a) Universitat Autonoma de Barcelona, Bellaterra (Spain) b) Grupo de Trabajo sobre Tratamientos del VIH (gTt-VIH), Barcelona (Spain)
Abstract
Advances in virology, public health and pharmacology have transformed HIV infection from a deadly entity to chronic infection with low mortality. Little is known about the aging experience of people living with HIV. This study aims to describe the experience of aging as the first cohort of people living with HIV in Spain. This is a qualitative study using descriptive phenomenology. Data was collected between May and June 2017 using anonymous semi-structured interviews in several Spanish cities. The study was approved by the IRB Universitat Autonoma de Barcelona. It took a total of 25 people aged 50 or older to achieve data saturation. Data were analyzed using the seven steps method proposed by Colaizzi. Growing older living with HIV is described as something unexpected. The main theme, "Here I am: alive and older", was identified. It is made up of three subthemes: We lived knowing we were dying; The impact of others; and, Taking care of myself. Four major areas were identified that caused suffering to the participants: physical problems, the awareness of aging, financial problems, and loneliness. More research is needed to assess the impact of loneliness on older people living with HIV from a constructivist, integrative, and multidisciplinary approach.
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