Document Type
Article
Source Publication Title
Families in Society: The Journal of Contemporary Social Services
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1177/10443894241272203
Abstract
In Kyrgyzstan, registered HIV cases doubled from 2013 to 2019, with women constituting 39% of cases in 2021. Women living with HIV (WLHIV) encounter heightened intimate partner violence, stigma, and discrimination. This study explores the experiences and vulnerabilities of WLHIV in Kyrgyzstan from the perspective of professionals engaged in HIV care and advocacy. Data from in-depth, semi-structured interviews with 10 professionals engaged in HIV prevention were analyzed using grounded theory methods. The analysis revealed two primary categories related to the experiences of WLHIV as observed by professionals in the field: (a) Challenges faced by WLHIV at the personal, interpersonal, community, and institutional levels, and (b) The way forward—providers’ ideas about addressing stigma and vulnerability. Urgent action is needed to address the needs of WLHIV, emphasizing confidentiality and support, recognizing discrimination as violence, and fostering financial independence.
Publication Date
10-23-2024
Language
English
License
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
Recommended Citation
Childress, Saltanat; Shrestha, Nibedita; Small, Eusebius; Kreniske, Philip; Gilbert, Louisa; Mukambetov, Aibek; Ssewamala, Fred; Bahar, Ozge Sensoy; and McKay, Mary, "Social Stigma and Vulnerabilities of Women Living With HIV/AIDS in Kyrgyzstan: Service Providers’ Perspectives" (2024). SAGE Open Access Agreement Publications-Archive. 68.
https://mavmatrix.uta.edu/utalibraries_sageoapubs/68