HIV-positive women’s sexual health : A meta-synthesis of how HIV-positive women experience and describe sexual health

Sammanfattning: There is no consensus of the concept sexual health in the context of being HIV-positive women. Research in the area tends to focus in different measurable parts of sexual health for HIV-positive women. A meta-synthesis on that research issue can develop a deeper understanding and knowledge of how HIV-positive women in qualitative studies describe and experience sexual health. The purpose with this study is to analyze and synthesize the results about how HIV-positive women describe and experience sexual health. The meta-synthesis follows Noblit and Hare´s method of meta-ethnography and additional use of Walsh and Downe´s checklist to appraise qualitative articles. The result shows that HIV involves changes in the body, sexuality and sexual activity and relationships. The changes lead to feelings of responsibility, fear and hopelessness. Combinations of these feelings lead to actions of avoidance of risks that result in feelings of loss. As a nurse you are expected to promote sexual health as a part of holistic care and with this new knowledge health care workers can help these women to better health and feeling of well-being.