Living long-term with HIV/AIDS: exploring impact in psychosocial and vocational domains

Abstract

In the last decade, new treatments for the Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) and Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS) have led to improved health and longer life expectancies for many HIV-positive individuals. Coping with HIV/AIDS as a chronic, rather than terminal illness presents new challenges for those living with the disease and for service providers. This review of HIV/AIDS-related literature attempts to address the major medical, psychological and psychosocial challenges related to living long-term with HIV/AIDS and consider how they may present obstacles to attainment of educational and vocational goals for HIV-positive individuals. Implications for service providers and suggestions for future research are discussed. An exploratory study of needs assessment is proposed.