Support for people living with HIV: insights into knowledge acquisition and personal wellbeing

The provision of care for people living with Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) has advanced since the 1980’s. New treatments have changed HIV to a chronic condition instead of a death sentence. How this change has affected support networks providing care to those living with HIV requires further investigation. Through interviews with Key Informants (n=4), and Family and Peer Support Networks for those living with HIV (n=7) three major themes emerged: 1) People providing support for people living with HIV are often HIV positive themselves. 2) Methods of learning about HIV/AIDS utilized before and after HIV diagnosis; such as, doctors, pamphlets, and others living with HIV. 3) Methods of support provided and received while living with HIV. These themes demonstrate the collaboration between support networks for people living with HIV. This research provides a greater understanding of support networks affected by and living with HIV.