Study Protocol on HIV Positive Diagnosis During Pregnancy: Experiences and Coping Strategies Used by Women at Chilenje Level 1 Hospital, Lusaka, Zambia
Abstract
Background: The HIV can be passed from an infected mother to her un-born child. Therefore, in an effort to eliminate mother-to-child transmission of the virus, pregnant women have to undergo HIV testing. A diagnosis of HIV during pregnancy is stressing to the woman because of its lack of cure, and it can add to the stress of pregnancy that she is already experiencing. We aim to determine the effects of an HIV positive diagnosis during pregnancy and the coping strategies used by women at Chilenje level 1 Hospital. Methodology: We intend to use a concurrent mixed methods research design. The quantitative part will use longitudinal descriptive design, and the qualitative part will use interpretive phenomenological design. We intend to collect data from the same participants in three stages by using panel studies to yield better data for testing and understanding the effects of an HIV diagnosis during pregnancy and the coping strategies that women use. Sample size for the quantitative part (n=103) will be calculated using Cochran’s formula while the qualitative part will have a sample size of 20, as guided by theories from Thomson et al 2011. Women will be assessed for stress levels using the Perceived Stress scale adapted from Cohen, 1983, and the coping strategies will be classified using the Coping Strategy Indictor adapted from Armikhan, 1990. In-depth interviews will be conducted to determine the experiences of women diagnosed HIV positive during pregnancy. Data will be analysed using Statistical Package for Social Sciences version 25.0, Chi-square will be used to test for associations between coping strategies and the independent variables (physiological health, psychosocial and spiritual support), and independent t-test will be used to test for association between stress levels and the independent variables. (Physiological health, psychosocial and spiritual support). Data will be merged at discussion Conclusion: Findings from this study may be important in developing guidelines for caring for women diagnosed HIV positive during pregnancy in order that they and their babies can live healthy lives. This will be done by developing a tool that will be used to help them cope positively and reduce on stress and other problems that will come about due to the diagnosis of HIV.
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