Restructuring life to face the future: the perspective of men after a positive response to protease inhibitor therapy

Abstract

This article describes a qualitative study that explores the psychosocial changes and care delivery issues experienced by men with AIDS who were facing end-stage disease but then had dramatic physical improvement as a result of protease inhibitor therapy. In-depth interviews were conducted with 11 men with HIV/AIDS drawn from a community-based AIDS service organization in a large metropolitan area in the Southeast. Using Collaizi's model of content analysis, three broad categories, protease inhibitors as a reprieve, changed roles and relationships, and need for advocacy and support, emerged from the data. From the three broad categories, seven more specific themes were identified: guarded optimism, buying time, change in relationships, work versus disability, access to medications, access to HIV/AIDS competent health care, and focused support services. Collectively, the phenomenon resulting from these men's experiences and concerns can be described as efforts to restructure life to face a future they did not expect. These findings support the need for developing formal, structured interventions to help persons living with AIDS (PLWA) to restructure their lives as new antiretroviral therapies promote improvements in health.