Lived experience of Iranian women with HIV/AIDS and acknowledgment of their social rights: a phenomenological hermeneutical study

In Iran, there has been a considerable increase in the number of women infected with the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). Within a socio-political context, social rights inequality of HIV positivity is still a prevailing concern among women. Little is known about the understanding of how Iranian women living with HIV, live their social rights experience. The aim of this study was to examine lived experience of these women against their social rights. In this qualitative study, a phenomenological–hermeneutic framework was adopted. We conducted narrative interviews with sixteen women. A purposeful sample of Iranian women was chosen. Five themes were identified to understand the experience of social rights in women: 1) A state of profound suffering; 2) lack support; 3) Insecurity in a social-economic life; 4) Any respecting; and 5) Exerting oneself to keeping. For these women, social rights by their HIV status meant: Living the ambivalence of a process of equality/inequality. Health professionals have to broaden their role and work on individual, interpersonal and inter-organizational levels. Mobilization of actors from different sectors would facilitate the implementation of pertinent and opportune interventions.