Experiences of fear by pregnant women living with HIV in Vhembe district Limpopo province of south Africa

International Conference on Nursing & Emergency Medicine

December 02-04, 2013 Hampton Inn Tropicana, Las Vegas, NV, USA

Jeanette Ramakuela

Scientific Tracks Abstracts: J Nurs Care

Abstract :

Pregnant women living with HIV experience fear in related to their deteriorating health and own death. Due to stigma attached to HIV pregnant women often go through sickness until at its advanced stage before seeking medical attention thus putting their lives and those of their unborn babies at risk of death. The study seeks to explore and describe experiences of pregnant women who are living with HIV regarding fear at the Vhembe District of Limpopo Province. The study was qualitative, explorative, descriptive, phenomenological, and contextual in nature. A purposive sampling method was used. Data were collected through in-depth individual interviews, guided by unstructured questions. Tesch?s eight steps of qualitative data analysis were used. Measures to ensure trustworthiness and ethical issues were observed. The results of the study revealed that pregnant women who are living with HIV were experiencing fear related to being pregnant and living with HIV. Recommendations in relation to the experiences of pregnant women living with HIV, nursing practice, society, policymakers and research were thus made. Keywords: Experiences, Fear, Pregnant Women Living with HIV/AIDS