Challenging lifestyles: Aboriginal men and women living with HIV
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Date
2008
Authors
Mill, Judy E.
Lambert, Denise T.
Larkin, Kecia
Ward, Ken
Harrowing, Jean N.
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Pimatisiwin
Abstract
The Aboriginal people of Canada are over-represented in the HIV and AIDS
statistics, compared with the rest of the population. A participatory action research
study was conducted in Alberta, Canada to examine the experiences
of HIV-positive Aboriginal individuals in the period following diagnosis. The
goals of the study were to identify factors that limited or enhanced risky behaviours,
and to develop and implement an intervention to promote healthier
lifestyles for Aboriginal persons living with HIV/AIDS (APHAs).Thirty-one
Aboriginal men and women participated in the study. Receiving and adapting
to a positive HIV diagnosis was a difficult process for most participants, and
resulted in a number of potentially harmful behaviours and painful emotions.
Gradually, most participants accepted the diagnosis and found ways to
take better care of themselves. Nevertheless, they faced ongoing challenges,
including stigma and discrimination, coping with histories of abuse, and confidentiality
concerns. The intervention included the development and presentation
of a skills-building workshop for individuals living with HIV, some of
whom were study participants. In addition, members of the team visited several
communities in Alberta to discuss the findings and the most appropriate
strategies to assist individuals living with HIV to adopt healthier lifestyles.
Description
Keywords
HIV positive persons , AIDS (Disease)--Patients , Indigenous peoples -- Health and hygiene , Indigenous peoples -- Diseases , HIV diagnosis -- Counseling
Citation
Mill, J.E., Lambert, D.T., Larkin, K., Ward, K., & Harrowing, J.N. Challenging lifestyles: Aboriginal men and women living with HIV. Pimatisiwin, 5(2), 151-173.