Being an HIV Positive Mother: Giving an Ear to HIV Positive Mothers at an Antenatal Clinic at Gwanda Provincial Hospital in Matabeleland South-Zimbabwe

Abstract

The HIV epidemic has posed a huge upset to the normal joys and elations of traditional motherhood. Life as an HIV positive mother is quite challenging, bearing the challenges of being both a patient and a caregiver. The study heard the lived experiences of HIV positive mothers. The study used the exploratory qualitative design and semi-structured interviews were used to collect data. Narratives were turned into thematic analysis to make sense of the findings. HIV diagnosis affects mothering in many forms such as fear of transmitting, dying, stigma and discrimination, and loss of intimate relationship. Participants also cited feelings of self-blame, regret, self-reproach, suicidal thoughts and low self-esteem. The research concludes that HIV positive mothers suffer from psychological factors as they battle with their positive status in their mothering process. The study recommends that HIV positive mothers should be empowered through counseling and education for them to understand life as HIV positive mothers.