The exploration of the psychological well-being of people living with hiv/aids (PLWHA) in Lusikisiki, in the Eastern Cape, South Africa

The study explored the psychological well-being of PLWHA in Lusikisiki, in the Eastern Cape, South Africa. The aim was to describe how they cope physically, socially and psychologically in their everyday lives as they deal with the consequences of stress while living with HIV. The researcher employed exploratory qualitative research. Fifteen participants from one of the support groups under the supervision of the Treatment Action Campaign (TAC) District office in Lusikisiki, in the Eastern Cape, consisting of seven males and eight females, aged from 20-60 gave their consent to be interviewed. The majority of the participants depended on the child support grant while others were doing part-time jobs in order to make a living. These results demonstrated that PLWHA are doing well in terms of accepting their HIVpositive status, accessing treatment and getting support. They use selfmotivation, spirituality or religion and support groups as coping strategies. However, unemployment still plays a primary role in the psychological wellbeing of PLWHA in Lusikisiki as people lack means to make ends meet which results in them constantly being in a state of turmoil, stressing about where their next meal will come from thus influencing negatively on their quality of life. It is recommended that community projects such as growing chickens and planting vegetables in gardens for generating income and for their own consumption could assist in making the lives of PLWHA better if there could be funders who would be willing to sponsor such projects