The Experience of HIV Diagnosis Among Aboriginal People Living With HIV/AIDS and Depression - Essay Example

The experience of HIV diagnosis among aboriginal people living with HIV/AIDS and depression Summary Cain, Jackson, Prentice, Collins, Mill and Barlowauthored the article, ‘The experience of HIV diagnosis among aboriginal people living with HIV/AIDS and depression,’ that the Qualitative Health Research published in the year 2013. The authored explored the effects of lives of Aboriginals on the population’s understanding of and response to HIV diagnosis. The authors’ background information identifies people’s negative attitudes toward HIV.

Interviews were used to collect data from a sample of 72 people from the Aboriginal community who were living with the HIV infection and were depressed. The participants’ responses to their diagnoses were negative with elements of shock, depression, drug use, and anger. Negative attitude among the Aboriginal people towards the infection influenced the research participants’ responses and the participants (Cain, et. al. 816- 822). AnalysisThe study applies a qualitative approach that offers rich meaning of phenomena.

The approach also develops information from people’s experiences to ensure accurate data (Cain, et. al. 816- 822). The study offers reliable information that is consistent with other research findings. Other independent studies explain that HIV diagnosis is associated with stress that patients suffer from emotional instability and from stigma that they suffer from the environment (Theunick, et. al. 487-490; Herrmann, et. al. 12, 13). ReflectionBased on the study’s qualitative approach, I believe in the value of its developed information.

The information is further credible because of its consistency with results from other studies. Consequently, I believe that awareness still lack on management of the infection and public knowledge on the need and significance of positive attitude towards people living with the infection is necessary. Awareness programs should therefore be initiated among Aboriginal people and other population segments to counter stigma against people living with HIV.Works citedCain, Roy, et. al. “The experience of HIV diagnosis among aboriginal people living with HIV/AIDS and depression.

” Qualitative Health Research (2013) 23.6, 815-824. Herrmann, Susan, et. al. “HIV related stigma and physical symptoms have a persistent influence on health-related quality of life in Australians with HIV infection.” Health & Quality of Life (2013) 11.1, 1-13. Theunick, Anthony, et. al. “HIV-related posttraumatic stress disorder: Investigating the traumatic events.” AIDS Patient Care and STDs (2009) 24.8, 485-491.