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Experiences of People Living with HIV and Tuberculosis amid Fear, Guilt, and Silence: A Qualitative Study Amirudin, Ikhwan; Waluyo, Agung; Sujianto, Untung; Akbar, M Agung; Nursasi, Astuti Yuni; Ayubi, Dian
Nurse Media Journal of Nursing Vol 16, No 1 (2026): (April 2026)
Publisher : Department of Nursing, Faculty of Medicine, Universitas Diponegoro

Show Abstract | Download Original | Original Source | Check in Google Scholar | DOI: 10.14710/nmjn.v16i1.79237

Abstract

Background: People living with HIV–TB (PLHIV–TB) continue to experience persistent stigma, fear, guilt, and silence that shape their psychosocial wellbeing and social interactions. HIV–TB represents a double burden that intensifies stigma and moral judgment, particularly within sociocultural and religious contexts. However, the lived experiences of PLHIV–TB in Indonesia remain insufficiently explored, despite the country’s unique cultural and religious dynamics. Understanding these contextualized experiences is essential for strengthening holistic, culturally responsive, and stigma-sensitive HIV–TB care.Purpose: This study aimed to explore experiences of PLHIV-TB amid fear, guilt, and silence within the Indonesian sociocultural context.Methods: A descriptive phenomenological design was employed, with 20 PLHIV-TB purposively selected from Lampung, Palembang, Depok, and Yogyakarta between January and June 2025. Data were collected through in-depth, semi-structured interviews lasting 45–70 minutes and analyzed using NVivo software with Colaizzi’s method. Trustworthiness was ensured through member checking, peer debriefing, and reflexivity.Results: Six themes captured the essence of participants’ experiences: (1) living under constant fear of exposure, (2) choosing silence as protection, (3) bearing the weight of guilt and moral judgment, (4) loneliness amid social disconnection, (5) struggling with faith and moral reconciliation, and (6) searching for meaning and self-acceptance. Participants’ narratives revealed a transformation from concealment and shame toward spiritual reconciliation and dignity through emotional and faith-based resilience.Conclusion: The lived experiences of people living with HIV–TB in Indonesia are shaped by intertwined dynamics of fear, guilt, and silence within a context of pervasive stigma. At the same time, some individuals demonstrate adaptive processes that reflect a complex journey from suffering to meaning-making and self-acceptance. These findings underscore the need for stigma-sensitive, psychosocial, and spiritually informed interventions to support holistic HIV–TB care.
Co-Authors Agung Waluyo Ahmad Yamin Al Hakim, Abdul Rahman Amirudin, Ikhwan Anggraeni, Hesti Aprilia, Rike Aria Wibisana Astuti Yuni Nursasi Ayunani, Sabrina Cahya, Febriani Cahyadi, Gabriel Ekoputra Hartono Chandra Rahmadi Charista, Rysha Citra Amelia Yulianti Dea Wahyuni, Elisa Dian Ayubi Efrianty, Novalia Elisa Dea Wahyuni Eni Folendra Rosa Erlika, Yesifa Esi Afriyanti Etty Rekawati Fadhilah, Laila Fadhillah, Laila Fakhri Rizki Fakhri Rizki Fatin, Nurul Ferdi, Roni Fitriani Agustina Gupta, Prateek Harsanto, D Eka Harto, Toto Hema Malini, Hema Henny Suzana Mediani Ina Yatul Khoiriyah Indah Ambarwati Iraningrum INDRA FRANA JAYA KK Joni Siahaan Junaiti Sahar Khoiriyah, Ina Yatul KK, Indra Frana Jaya Lina Oktavia, Lina Lisa Novianti Utami Lisdahayati Lisdahayati Lisdahayati Lisdahayati, Lisdahayati Mahafira, Nesa Dwi Martadinata, Umar Hasan Mulia Ganta Saputri Nelly Rustiati Neti Juniarti Ni Ketut Sujati Ningsih, Deasy Kurnia Novalia Efrianty Nurul Fitriah Pome, Gunardi Prateek Gupta Pratiwi, Afrida Prawiti, Ayu Dwi Rafela, Sindi Ramadhona, Shinta Ratu Ayu Dewi Sartika Ratu Ayu Dewi Sartika Rizki, Fakhri Roni Ferdi Roni Ferdi Rustiati , Nelly Rustiati, Nelly Rysha Charista Samsuryadi Samsuryadi Saprianto Saprianto Saprianto, Saprianto Shinta Ramadhona Siahaan, Joni Siti Aulia Sukemi Sukemi Supangat Supangat Supangat Supangat , Supangat Supangat Marzuki Supangat Supangat Supangat Supangat Supangat Supangat Untung Sujianto Utami, Lisa Novianti Wang, Jing Jy Wati, Dwi Nurviyandari Kusuma Wibowo Apriandi Widyatuti Willy Astriana Wiwice Arianti Yesifa Erlika Yudi Budianto Yudi Budianto Zanzibar Zanzibar Zanzibar Zanzibar Zulfikri, Ahmad