HIV in Overseas Returnees: Risks, Challenges, and Support. A Qualitative Analysis of District Dir Lower, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan

Abstract

HIV/AIDS is a transmitted disease that can spread through blood transmission, saliva, sexual intercourse, breast milk, and infected medical and barbershop equipment. Globally, this viral disease has caused 39 million people affected and 3 million people died from this disease. The current study focuses on risk factors, challenges, and support of HIV in overseas returnees in District Lower Dir. The qualitative approach and the semi-structured interview with open-ended questionnaires were adopted. The study sample size was 30. Purposive and convenient sampling were used for data collection. Mobile recording (Audio and video) was used for transcription of the data. Data was descriptively analyzed. The study concluded that the key risk factors of HIV among these victims were, lack of awareness, usage of unhygienic equipment in medical practices and Barbershops, socioeconomic disparities in health care and testing, and unsafe sex practices abroad. The study suggested, raising awareness regarding HIV/AIDS about its causes and transmission among overseas populations, improving hygienic equipment use in barbershops, addressing socioeconomic disparities, and educating people about safe sex activities.