How HIV patients construct liveable identities in a shame based culture: the case of Singapore

Ho, Lai Peng; Goh, Esther C. L.

Actually, I don't like going to this clinic because . . . It reminds me of my medical condition. I do have this medical condition but I know that I . . . think in a positive way that, just to make sure that my health is still in check. (Bryan) Although Bryan expressed that he did not like going to the clinic, he did so to make sure that he remained healthy so that he could perform the roles of his other identities: father, husband, son, worker. It was a means for him to lead a "normal" life and not draw attention to his HIV diagnosis. His meaning for keeping healthy was rooted in his identities and the wish to be "normal". The participants learnt that if they took care of their health, they could continue with their existing roles and identities. To reduce the trigger, they asked for their appointments to be less frequent, so that they were more tolerable.