The Lived Experience of PLWHA and Partner’s Responses toward the Fulfillment of Sexual Needs
Abstract: Every single person
including people living with HIV/AIDS (PLWHA) have five basic needs; one of
which is a physiological sexual need. Unfortunately, PLWHA face many
difficulties in fulfilling their sexual needs due to the stigma and fear of infecting
their partner.
Purpose: The purpose of this study was to explore the lived experience of
PLWHA and partner’s responses toward the fulfillment of sexual needs.
Methods: This study was a qualitative descriptive phenomenological
research, which collected data through in-depth interviews from fourteen PLWHA
in Paramacitta Spirit Foundation, Denpasar. The participants were recruited
through snowball sampling, informed and gave consent for their voluntary
participation. The data were analyzed using Colaizzi’s phenomenological method.
Results: The study revealed five themes describing the sexual experiences
of PLWHA, including: (1) the fulfillment of sexual need of PLWHA, (2) the roles
of partner for PLWHA, (3) various perceived stimuli which could increase the
sexual desire, (4) the perceived factors which could incapacitate the ability
and quality of sexual desire, and (5) the efforts to increase sexual capability
and quality.
Conclusion: Sex was an important need for PLWHA to meet. Despite having a
virus, after undergoing anti-retroviral (ARV) treatment, PLWHA felt healthier,
and thus they could meet their sexual need like a normal person in general.
Keywords: AIDS; PLWHA; sexual
fulfillment; sexual need
Author: I Gede Nyoman Ardi
Supartha, Agung Waluyo, I Made Kariasa
Journal Code: jpkeperawatangg170009