HIV/AIDS Women and Spirituality

D.J. Margaret

University of Madras, India

Abstract: The article highlights the care of women living with HIV/AIDS (WLHA) from a spiritual perspective. It focuses on the types of spiritual care received by the WLHA from caregivers especially from family members, health caregivers and faith community. Spiritual care integrates all aspects of a human being and it is not limited to activities emphasizing religion. It is any activity that “touches the spirit of another.” Spiritual care promotes connectedness with self, others, nature and the sacred. The article shows that prayer and trust in God/Divine are the two aspects of the spiritual support that the WLHA have acknowledged as having received from the health caregivers. Care for women’s spiritual needs could, therefore, be considered as an important component of overall healthcare quality.

Keywords: Women, HIV/AIDS, caregivers, spirituality, prayer, God