SOCIOCULTURAL DILEMMAS AND PSYCHOLOGICAL HEALTH PROBLEMS OF PEOPLE LIVING WITH HIV/AIDS

Abstract

People living with HIV have to confront several social, economic psychological and medical challenges since the onset of disease. This paper includes a reasonable quantity of literature related to HIV people’ problems in socio-cultural, psychological and financial context. Our critical examination of published material has found that HIV/AIDS is not only a physical ailment but a socio-cultural dilemma affecting all facets of individuals as well as their families’ lives.  The literature showed that prevalent problems among people living with HIV/AIDS were stigma and disclosure, medication adherence, psychological disorders, social isolation and financial deprivation. These problems can be remedied by using psycho-medical therapeutic treatment and enhancing social and economic support. However, there is a need to devise multidimensional strategies including medical, social, psychological and financial aspects for prevention of disease and better well-being of people living with HIV/AIDS.