The Perceived Feelings of AIDS Patients toward their Illness and its Stigmatization

Introduction: The recognition of effective factors associated with HIV stigma and designing of effective interventions are the key to success of AIDS prevention and treatment. This study aimed to determine the views of AIDS patients on their illness and the stigma associated with it. Method: Due to the limited number of patients, 17 patients, who were referred to a behavioral health counselling center in 2012, were selected using purposive sampling. Data analysis was performed based on a content analysis analysis of themes. Results: The main themes emerged within the patient’s perceived feeling toward the disease include spiritual orientation, and relating the disease to other factors and the sense of inability. The main themes of social stigma associated with the disease include the perceived internal emotions (feelings of hopelessness, and rejection and separation) and the perceived external emotions of patients (feelings of disgust and blame). Conclusion: The perceived emotions of AIDS patients express the threatening nature of the disease. The disease has strengthened their spiritual dimension and has caused them to reconsider their worship rituals by reflection on and returning to their values. The patients' perceived awareness of the stigmatization of the disease reflects the fact that these patients not only struggle with adverse health outcomes, but also face the consequences of the stigmatization of this disease. This is to the extent that the mental and social health of these patients is targeted. Therefore, further investigation of these misperceptions about the disease, and the development of training programs for the public, especially the patient’s relatives and friends, and integration of these programs with educational programs seem necessary to promote preventive behaviors.

The Perceived Feelings of AIDS Patients toward their Illness and its Stigmatization Keywords:

Feelings , AIDS patients , Stigma