© Science and Education Publishing DOI:10.12691/ajeid-2-1-9 HIV Positive Patients ’ Experiences on Receiving an HIV Positive Test: An Iranian – Qualitative Study

Abstract The main objective of this current study is to provide information about HIV positive patients’ experiences toward realizing HIV test results by using qualitative method. Ten HIV positive patients participated in30- to 60-min semi-structure interviews which involved open ended questions. Five main codes were identified. The findings revealed reasons for HIV testing including: emotional reactions in time of realizing HIV status, physical reactions towards understanding of HIV status, mitigating factors, aggravating factors. Based on the findings of this study, it is suggested that HIV service providers should consider post-test counseling for HIV positive patients. This counseling might be more helpful when done by a HIV specialist and trained HIV positive patients