ఆక్యుపేషనల్ మెడిసిన్ & హెల్త్ అఫైర్స్

నైరూప్య

Socio-Ecological Approach to Self-Management of HIV/AIDS: A Case Study of Women Patients with HIV Virus

Rashid M Ansari, Saiqaa Y Ansari, Saher Al-Safarini and Muhammad Ayub

Pakistan is perceived as a ‘high risk low prevalence country’ in relation to HIV/AIDS virus and the indication is that there is a rise in HIV/AIDS cases in the ‘high risk groups’ with concentrated epidemics beginning in marginalized population like the intravenous drug users in Karachi, which have a high potential of being passed onto the general population due to a closely weaved social network. Pakistani women are more vulnerable to HIV/AIDS infection due to biological and socio-economic factors, especially gender inequality. Since women in the country in general have lower socio-economic status, less mobility and lack of decision-making power, all of these factors further contribute to their HIV vulnerability. The literacy rate is much lower among females (41%) than males (64%) and while literacy presents an obstacle for HIV/AID preventive efforts in general, it is also much difficult to reach women with information about how they can prevent themselves from HIV infection. The present case study examines the case of women patients (n=12) with HIV virus in Pakistan. This study analyses how the health issue related to HIV/AIDS is viewed and addressed in community and identifies the barriers to HIV/AIDS care in community and healthcare clinics and recommends socio-ecological approach to self-management of HIV/AIDS and structural approach to HIV prevention