Hiv positive & communication: The challenge of maintaining effective communication patterns among female sufferers Hiv positif & komunikasi: Cabaran mengekalkan pola komunikasi berkesan dalam kalangan penghidap wanita

• Main Authors: Muda, Mashrom, Omar, Mardian Shah, Yunus, Marzuni Md., Hassan, Zamre Abu
• Format: Article
• Published: 2021
• Subjects: H Social Sciences (General)
• Online Access: http://eprints.um.edu.my/35696/; https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-85118350596&doi=10.17576%2fJKMJC-2021-3703-08&partnerID=40&md5=fd30efbe730fae75a2ce542dc3552235

The challenge of being a Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) positive patient is difficult to be described by the sufferers or members of the society. The HIV positive infection is full of negative labels and connotations, stigma and discrimination such that the HIV-positive sufferers are not accepted in society. In many situations, families do not accept HIV-positive members and some are isolated, ostracized and expelled. Female HIV-positive sufferers not only struggle with an unstable health condition, but are forced to face various challenges such as changes in the context of communication. Communication is very important as a source of self-strength, especially from family and members of society. Changes in communication patterns among the HIV-positive female sufferers require a study of the causes of the problem and what makes it difficult for them to maintain effective communication patterns. A study was conducted on 20 women with HIV positive around Terengganu dan Kelantan using in-depth interview methods. The study found that it was difficult for the female HIV-positive sufferers to obtain effective communication patterns either within the family or outside the family circle. One of the factors is the sufferers themselves who choose not to share the problems that they faced (avoidance, self-isolating). Another factor is that members of the society who avoid meeting or connecting with them after their HIV-positive status are known to others. Finally, the female HIV-positive sufferers choose to behave like healthy individuals as one of their life strategies. Indirectly, communication occurred very well because their actual health status is not known to anybody. © 2021, Penerbit Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia. All rights reserved.