Profiles

Here, you can find any of the interviews on this site.



Interview 44

She has not told some of her children about her HIV because some are still in Africa and may suffer ill treatment due to stigma. Support groups and prayer give her strength, although she does still get depressed at times. (Video and audio clips read by an actor.)

  • Background

    A 50 year old woman who came to the UK from Africa over 8 years ago.

  • Age at interview 50
  • Sex/Gender Female
  • Interview 42

    She became sick in the UK while visiting some of her children who live here, and she feels she is now 'stuck here.' The uncertainty over her immigration status is very stressful and does get her down. (Video and audio clips read by an actor.)

  • Background

    A 51 year old woman who came to the UK from Africa over 5 years ago. She did not know what was wrong with her husband who became sick and...

  • Age at interview 51
  • Sex/Gender Female
  • Interview 41

    Although she was monogamous, her partner was not, and she believes she picked up HIV from him. She has found support groups to be vital in her emotional wellbeing. (Video and audio clips read by an actor.)

  • Background

    A 45 year old woman who came to the UK from Africa over 4 years ago. She became sick and was diagnosed as HIV positive while studying in the UK.

  • Age at interview 45
  • Sex/Gender Female
  • Interview 45

    She was staying with her sister when she was diagnosed. Her sister mistreated her because of her HIV. Social groups, courses and Christianity have contributed to her wellbeing and empowerment. (Video and audio clips read by an actor.)

  • Background

    A 43 year old woman who came to the UK from Africa 4 years ago to study, but became very ill and was diagnosed with HIV.

  • Age at interview 43
  • Sex/Gender Female
  • Interview 38

    Although he has developed a lot of resistance to anti-HIV drugs, he is currently doing well on T20, TMC114 (as part of a trial), FTC, tenofovir and abacavir, and has an undetectable viral load.

  • Background

    A 46 year old gay man who lives in a small village in the midlands. He was diagnosed in the early days of the epidemic.

  • Age at interview 46
  • Sex/Gender Male
  • Interview 36

    He accesses African support groups, and this helps to relieve the boredom and stress of being 'stuck' while his immigration status is sorted out. He is currently taking efavirenz and Combivir, and has a low viral load. (Video and audio clips read by an actor.)

  • Background

    A black African man, over 40 years-old, who was discovered to be HIV positive after he became ill while visiting the UK.

  • Age at interview 40
  • Sex/Gender Male
  • Interview 35

    He turned up in the health system with TB in the mid-1990s, and was tested for HIV. He has an undetectable viral load and 400 CD4 cells. He accesses African support groups and the Internet for support. (Video and audio clips read by an actor.)

  • Background

    A 40 year-old married man with 2 children, originally from Africa.

  • Age at interview 40
  • Sex/Gender Male
  • Interview 49

    Clint progressed to Aids defining illnesses relatively quickly. Fortunately, combination therapy had come in by then, and his original combination (Combivir, efavirenz and nelfinavir) is still effective today.

  • Background

    Clint was infected with HIV at the age of 17 from a partner at a time when he lacked knowledge about HIV.

  • Age at interview 26
  • Sex/Gender Male
  • Interview 43

    She has teenage children, and although she found it difficult to tell them about her HIV, they were very supportive. She believes that for women it is vital to seek out others with HIV to share their experiences of HIV. (Video and audio clips read by an actor.)

  • Background

    A 49 year old black African woman who came to the UK from Africa 2 years ago and became sick with HIV on her visit.

  • Age at interview 49
  • Sex/Gender Female
  • Interview CP40

    Abdominal pain since 1988, no diagnosis. Treatments: Nerve block to pancreas. Pain Clinic for medication. Current Medication: tramadol. Past medication: Tried stronger opioids could not tolerate side effects.

  • Background

    Retired agricultural worker; married; 4 children.

  • Age at interview 63
  • Sex/Gender Male