Lived experiences of persons with disabilities living with HIV in accessing HIV services in Africa: a qualitative systematic review

Article

Philip, Aaron Akpu, King, Julie and Durham, Joanne. 2023. "Lived experiences of persons with disabilities living with HIV in accessing HIV services in Africa: a qualitative systematic review." Disability and Rehabilitation. 45 (6), pp. 937-949. https://doi.org/10.1080/09638288.2022.2051079
Article Title

Lived experiences of persons with disabilities living with HIV in accessing HIV services in Africa: a qualitative systematic review

ERA Journal ID16035
Article CategoryArticle
AuthorsPhilip, Aaron Akpu, King, Julie and Durham, Joanne
Journal TitleDisability and Rehabilitation
Journal Citation45 (6), pp. 937-949
Number of Pages13
Year2023
PublisherTaylor & Francis
Place of PublicationUnited Kingdom
ISSN0963-8288
1464-5165
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)https://doi.org/10.1080/09638288.2022.2051079
Web Address (URL)https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/09638288.2022.2051079
Abstract

Purpose
This qualitative review applies an intersectional lens to explore the lived experiences of persons with disabilities (PWDs) living with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) in accessing HIV services.

Methods
Using thematic analysis, the intersections relating to HIV, disability, gender, stigma, and poverty were explored.

Results
Three themes were identified from the analysis: (1) intersection of gender, HIV, and disability – “For a man, it is easier because we women have a lot to take care of at the home and would not have enough time to go get services”; (2) intersection of stigma, HIV, and disability – “…Look at that one. He’s disabled, at the same time HIV-positive. He doesn’t even feel sorry for himself … to die quietly at home”; (3) intersection of poverty, HIV, and disability – “…maybe you don’t even have money to buy food and if you’re on medication you need to eat frequently”. The findings highlighted how stigma, poverty, and gender collide in a hierarchy of identities to impede accessibility to HIV services.

Conclusions
Researchers and programme implementers should note the intersecting issues of marginalisation that influence inequities in access to HIV services for PWDs living with HIV. National Strategic Plans should address these specific barriers to ensure accessibility for this marginalised population.

KeywordsHIV; Disability; Intersectionality; Access; HIV services; Persons with disability living with HIV
Contains Sensitive ContentDoes not contain sensitive content
ANZSRC Field of Research 2020420318. People with disability
Public Notes

The accessible file is the accepted version of the paper. Please refer to the URL for the published version.

Byline AffiliationsQueensland University of Technology
Permalink -

https://research.usq.edu.au/item/zv2x2/lived-experiences-of-persons-with-disabilities-living-with-hiv-in-accessing-hiv-services-in-africa-a-qualitative-systematic-review

Log in to edit

Download files

Accepted Version
107118242.pdf
File access level: Anyone

  • 11
    total views
  • 5
    total downloads
  • 0
    views this month
  • 2
    downloads this month

Export as

Related outputs

The personal safety burden for women taking public transport in Australia and implications for provision of equitable public transport
King, Julie A., Greer, Dominique A., Danvers, Rae S.M. and Keating, Byron W.. 2025. "The personal safety burden for women taking public transport in Australia and implications for provision of equitable public transport." Journal of Public Transportation. 27. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jpubtr.2025.100118
Women’s Empowerment Through Access to Safe Transport: The Impact of Sexual and Nonsexual Victimization on Female Commuters in Bangladesh and Cambodia
King, Julie, King, Mark, Oviedo-Trespalacios, Oscar, Watling, Hanna, Carroll, Julie-Anne, Bull, Melissa, Grant-Smith, Deanna, Anam, Mujibul, Pen, Sakony and Davidson, Danielle. 2025. "Women’s Empowerment Through Access to Safe Transport: The Impact of Sexual and Nonsexual Victimization on Female Commuters in Bangladesh and Cambodia." Violence Against Women: an international and interdisciplinary journal. 31 (1), pp. 308-327. https://doi.org/10.1177/10778012231214770
Factors influencing experiences of non-consensual sex: results from a mixed data cross-sectional online survey of Australian university students
Wenham, Kathryn, Durham, Jo, Mullens, Amy B., Bromdal, Annette, Debattista, Joseph, Parma, Gianna, Gu, Zhihong, Ariana, Armin, Gilks, Charles F., Bell, Sara F. and Dean, Judith A.. 2025. "Factors influencing experiences of non-consensual sex: results from a mixed data cross-sectional online survey of Australian university students." Sexual Health. https://doi.org/10.1071/SH24165
Australian Psychiatrists and Trainee Psychiatrists’ Perceptions of Chemical Restraint of Adults with Intellectual Disability
Edwards, Nicole, Franklin, Catherine, King, Julie and Watling, Hanna. 2024. "Australian Psychiatrists and Trainee Psychiatrists’ Perceptions of Chemical Restraint of Adults with Intellectual Disability." Journal of Mental Health Research in Intellectual Disabilities. 17 (1), pp. 65-77. https://doi.org/10.1080/19315864.2023.2192689
Exploring therapeutic alliance in spinal cord injury rehabilitation: Control, identity, and liminality
Lovric, Esha, Edwards, Niki and King, Julie. 2024. "Exploring therapeutic alliance in spinal cord injury rehabilitation: Control, identity, and liminality." Physiotherapy Theory and Practice: an international journal of physical therapy. https://doi.org/10.1080/09593985.2024.2443028
Social Work Practice and People Living with Disability
Edwards, Niki and King, Julie. 2023. "Social Work Practice and People Living with Disability." Petrakis, Melissa (ed.) Social Work Practice in Health: An introduction to contexts, theories and skills. Abingdon. Routledge. pp. 118-131
Neoliberal Capitalism and its Impact on Individual and Community Health: Implications for Critical Social Workers
Edwards, Niki and King, Julie. 2023. "Neoliberal Capitalism and its Impact on Individual and Community Health: Implications for Critical Social Workers." Petrakis, Melissa (ed.) Social Work Practice in Health: An introduction to contexts, theories and skills. United Kingdom. Routledge. pp. 25-36
Health Social Work in Regional, Rural and Remote Settings: Responding to the Intersection of Location, Disadvantaged Populations and Communities
Darracott, Ros, Edwards, Niki and King, Julie. 2023. "Health Social Work in Regional, Rural and Remote Settings: Responding to the Intersection of Location, Disadvantaged Populations and Communities." Petrakis, Melissa (ed.) Social Work Practice in Health: An introduction to contexts, theories and skills. United Kingdom. Routledge. pp. 188-201
Teaching global competence, creating global citizens: Critical citizenship education in higher education
Grant-Smith, Deanna, Weiler, Tanya, King, Julie, Nykvist, Shaun and McAuliffe, Marisha. 2023. "Teaching global competence, creating global citizens: Critical citizenship education in higher education." Al-Obaidi, Jabbar, Boivin, Jacquelynne and Rao, Madhusudana N. (ed.) The Role of Educators as Agents and Conveyors for Positive Change in Global Education . IGI Global. pp. 25-60
Hosting Australian Social Work Students on Exchange: The Search for Equity and Mutual Benefit Between the Global South and North
King, Julie, Miles, Deb, Jones, Peter, Gopalkrishnan, Narayan and Watling, Hanna. 2023. "Hosting Australian Social Work Students on Exchange: The Search for Equity and Mutual Benefit Between the Global South and North." Australian Social Work. 76 (4), pp. 493-506. https://doi.org/10.1080/0312407X.2021.1947334
Barriers Faced by Australian and New Zealand Women When Sharing Experiences of Family Violence with Primary Healthcare Providers: A Scoping Review
Rathnayake, Jayamini Chathurika, Pozian, Nadirah Mat, Carroll, Julie-Anne and King, Julie. 2023. "Barriers Faced by Australian and New Zealand Women When Sharing Experiences of Family Violence with Primary Healthcare Providers: A Scoping Review." Healthcare. 11 (18). https://doi.org/10.3390/healthcare11182486
Maternal healthcare for women with physical disabilities in Northern Vietnam: perspectives of healthcare providers.
Nguyen, Thi Vinh, Edwards, Niki and King, Julie. 2023. "Maternal healthcare for women with physical disabilities in Northern Vietnam: perspectives of healthcare providers." Disability and Health Journal. 16 (2). https://doi.org/10.1016/j.dhjo.2023.101439
‘There is power in the cry of a woman’: the approach of African women with disabilities to leadership
King, Julie, Edwards, Nicole and Watling, Hanna. 2023. "‘There is power in the cry of a woman’: the approach of African women with disabilities to leadership." Journal of Gender Studies. 32 (7), pp. 719-730. https://doi.org/10.1080/09589236.2022.2085676
Leadership for change: pathways to activism for African women with disability
King, Julie, Edwards, Nicole and Watling, Hanna. 2023. "Leadership for change: pathways to activism for African women with disability." Disability and Society. 38 (7), pp. 1164-1185. https://doi.org/10.1080/09687599.2021.1994373
Disadvantage and disability: Experiences of people from refugee backgrounds with disability living in Australia
King, Julie, Edwards, Niki, Correa-Velez, Ignacio, Hair, Sara and Fordyce, Maureen. 2016. "Disadvantage and disability: Experiences of people from refugee backgrounds with disability living in Australia." Disability and the Global South (DGS). 3 (1), pp. 843-864.
Restrictive practices on refugees in Australia with intellectual disability and challenging behaviours: a family’s story
King, Julie, Edwards, Niki, Correa-Velez, Ignacio, Darracott, Rosalyn and Fordyce, Maureen. 2016. "Restrictive practices on refugees in Australia with intellectual disability and challenging behaviours: a family’s story." Advances in Mental Health and Intellectual Disabilities. 10 (4), pp. 222-232. https://doi.org/10.1108/AMHID-02-2016-0004
Qualitative exploration of psychotropic medication to manage challenging behaviour in adults with intellectual disability: views of family members
Edwards, Nicole, King, Julie, Watling, Hanna and Hair, Sara. 2017. "Qualitative exploration of psychotropic medication to manage challenging behaviour in adults with intellectual disability: views of family members." Advances in Mental Health and Intellectual Disabilities. 11 (5 - 6), pp. 207-218. https://doi.org/10.1108/AMHID-06-2017-0027
Addressing transport safety and accessibility for people with a disability in developing countries: a formative evaluation of the Journey Access Tool in Cambodia
King, Julie A., King, Mark J., Edwards, Niki, Hair, Sara A., Cheang, Sarim, Pearson, Anita and Coelho, Sophie. 2018. "Addressing transport safety and accessibility for people with a disability in developing countries: a formative evaluation of the Journey Access Tool in Cambodia." Global Health Action. 11 (1), pp. 1-11. https://doi.org/10.1080/16549716.2018.1538658
Human-trafficking prevention is not 'sexy': Impact of the rescue industry on Thailand NGO programs and the need for a human rights approach
Jones, Stephanie, King, Julie and Edwards, Niki. 2018. "Human-trafficking prevention is not 'sexy': Impact of the rescue industry on Thailand NGO programs and the need for a human rights approach." Journal of Human Trafficking. 4 (3), pp. 231-255. https://doi.org/10.1080/23322705.2017.1355161
Maternal Healthcare Experiences of and Challenges for Women with Physical Disabilities in Low and Middle‑Income Countries: A Review of Qualitative Evidence
Nguyen, Thi Vinh, King, Julie, Edwards, Niki, Pham, Cong Tuan and Dunne, Michael. 2019. "Maternal Healthcare Experiences of and Challenges for Women with Physical Disabilities in Low and Middle‑Income Countries: A Review of Qualitative Evidence." Sexuality and Disability: a journal devoted to the psychological and medical aspects of sexuality in rehabilitation and community settings. 37 (2), pp. 175-201. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11195-019-09564-9
Older transgender women in Thailand: views of service providers
Hair, Sara Amy, King, Julie, Edwards, Niki and Hayes, Sharon. 2019. "Older transgender women in Thailand: views of service providers." Journal of Gay and Lesbian Social Services: issues in practice, policy and research. 31 (1), pp. 65-88. https://doi.org/10.1080/10538720.2019.1548328
Barriers to disability-inclusive disaster management in the Solomon Islands: Perspectives of people with disability
King, Julie, Edwards, Nicole, Watling, Hanna and Hair, Sara. 2019. "Barriers to disability-inclusive disaster management in the Solomon Islands: Perspectives of people with disability." International Journal of Disaster Risk Reduction. 34, pp. 459-466. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijdrr.2018.12.017
Articulation of a Best Practice Model of Guardianship Advocacy Services: For Older People and People with Cognitive Disability at Risk of Abuse or Neglect
Edwards, Niki, King, Julie, Hair, Sara and Walton, Kate. 2019. Articulation of a Best Practice Model of Guardianship Advocacy Services: For Older People and People with Cognitive Disability at Risk of Abuse or Neglect. Brisbane, Australia. Queensland University of Technology.
Teaching disability using problem-based learning in the international context: utility for social work
Edwards, Nicole, King, Julie, Pfeffer, Sabine, Lovric, Esha and Watling, Hanna. 2023. "Teaching disability using problem-based learning in the international context: utility for social work." European Journal of Social Work: the forum for the social work professional. 26 (1), pp. 3-15. https://doi.org/10.1080/13691457.2021.1954890
'Under great anxiety': Pregnancy experiences of Vietnamese women with physical disabilities seen through an intersectional lens
Nguyen, Thi Vinh, King, Julie, Edwards, Niki and Dunne, Michael P.. 2021. "'Under great anxiety': Pregnancy experiences of Vietnamese women with physical disabilities seen through an intersectional lens." Social Science and Medicine. 284, pp. 1-9. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.socscimed.2021.114231
Whose decision? Caesarean section and women with physical disabilities in Northern Vietnam: A qualitative study
Nguyen, Thi Vinh, King, Julie, Edwards, Niki and Dunne, Michael P.. 2022. "Whose decision? Caesarean section and women with physical disabilities in Northern Vietnam: A qualitative study." Midwifery. 104, pp. 1-6. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.midw.2021.103175
'Nothing suitable for us': experiences of women with physical disabilities in accessing maternal healthcare services in Northern Vietnam
Nguyen, Thi Vinh, King, Julie, Edwards, Niki and Dunne, Michael P.. 2022. "'Nothing suitable for us': experiences of women with physical disabilities in accessing maternal healthcare services in Northern Vietnam." Disability and Rehabilitation. 44 (4), pp. 573-581. https://doi.org/10.1080/09638288.2020.1773548
Exploring Women’s Experiences of Gender-Based Violence and Other Threats to Safety on Public Transport in Bangladesh
King, Julie, King, Mark, Edwards, Nicole, Carroll, Julie-Anne, Watling, Hanna, Anam, Mujibul, Bull, Melissa and Oviedo-Trespalacios, Oscar. 2021. "Exploring Women’s Experiences of Gender-Based Violence and Other Threats to Safety on Public Transport in Bangladesh." International Journal For Crime, Justice and Social Democracy. 10 (4), pp. 158-173. https://doi.org/10.5204/ijcjsd.2086
Chemical restraint of adults with intellectual disability and challenging behaviour in Queensland, Australia: Views of statutory decision makers
Edwards, Niki, King, Julie, Williams, Karen and Hair, Sara. 2020. "Chemical restraint of adults with intellectual disability and challenging behaviour in Queensland, Australia: Views of statutory decision makers." Journal of Intellectual Disabilities. 24 (2), pp. 194-211. https://doi.org/10.1177/1744629518782064
Barbaric, Feral, or Moral? Stereotypical Dairy Farmer and Vegan Discourses on the Business of Animal Consumption
Taylor, Nik, Fraser, Heather, Stekelenburg, Naomi and King, Julie. 2022. "Barbaric, Feral, or Moral? Stereotypical Dairy Farmer and Vegan Discourses on the Business of Animal Consumption." Tallberg, Linda and Hamilton, Lindsay (ed.) The Oxford Handbook of Animal Organization Studies. United Kingdom. Oxford University Press. pp. 282-287
Australian educational technologies trends 2018
Zagami, Jason, Redmond, Petrea, Joy, Travis, Flintoff, Kim, Speranza, Anthony, Shires, Rachael, Harris, Neil, Sleeman, Tracy, Canning, Celia, Vernon, Kim, Sercombe, Peter, Madsen, Steve, Finch, Robyn, Jones, Michael, Hogan, Amanda, Urban, Sue, Moreton, Bronwyn, Harrison, Yvonne, Hunt, Cathy, ..., Campbell, Chris. 2018. Australian educational technologies trends 2018. Brisbane, Australia. Australian Council for Computers in Education.