Perceived Supportive Paradox After Diagnosing Human Papillomavirus: A Qualitative Content Analysis

Human papillomavirus (HPV) is the most globally-prevalent sexually-transmitteddisease. Many stresses experienced by the patients after their disease is diagnosed affect the diseaseprogression, and these problems and consequences demonstrate the importance of the support for thepatients. The present research was conducted to explore the perception and experience of support inpatients diagnosed with HPV.

In this qualitative study, 24 participants (17 patients, 2 spouses of these patients, and 5health service providers), selected using purposeful and snowballing sampling from April 2019 toMarch 2020, underwent an inductive content analysis conducted in dermatology clinic of ShahidFaghihi hospital, Shiraz, Iran. The data were collected through in-depth semi-structured interviews,all of which were recorded and transcribed. The data were analyzed in MAXQDA 2018 until datasaturation was reached.

The patients aged 19-50 years old were married in 14 of the cases and their majority had genitalor anal warts. Their level of education ranged from junior high school to an MSc degree. Perceivedsupportive paradox emerged as the main theme which consisted of 2 categories of supportiveness andlack of support.

The present findings showed many challenges for the patients in the face of contradictorybehaviors by their relatives and health service providers. Integrated systems are required to develop inorder to promote the understanding of health service providers of HPV and counsel the patients to takeappropriate strategies and, therefore, eliminate their confusion and reduce their anxiety.