The Experience of the Puerto Rican Family When a Member Has HIV/AIDS

Abstract

As of June 2001, it was estimated that 22,000 people were living with AIDS in Chicago (CDC, 2001b), and 15% of these were Hispanic, of which 39% were Puerto Rican (Chicago Department of Health, 2000b). Although in recent years Chicago has seen a drop in HIV/AIDS-related deaths, HIV/AIDS is still devastating many Puerto Rican families. Many of those infected face the challenges of living with a chronic terminal disease, feeling alone and rejected by family and community. This research article summarizes the results of a qualitative study that explores the unique meanings that the Puerto Rican culture assigns to AIDS. The primary objective of this study was to capture the experience that is unique to the Puerto Rican family when a member has HIV/AIDS.