People Living with HIV Experiences from Peer Support: A Meta-Synthesis.
Syamikar Baridwan Syamsir, Agus Setiawan, Astuti Astuti and 4 others
PMID 41608532WHAT IT FOUND
People living with HIV valued peer support for connection, HIV knowledge, adherence, and reduced isolation.
They also reported confidentiality fears, unstable groups, and harmful peer pressure to stop treatment.
Key findings
01Across 20 included qualitative studies, people living with HIV described joining peer support groups to seek connection, gain HIV knowledge, and confront stigma.
02Participants described feeling heard, accepted, and supported, and they reported new happiness and renewed meaning in life.
03Confidentiality fears, stigma, and unstable groups were reported as barriers. Peer pressure to stop antiretroviral therapy was also reported, including a fatal outcome after a peer encouraged abandoning treatment.
STILL TO COME
How it was doneWhat they foundWhat it means for RNs
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What it does not show
This is a synthesis of qualitative experiences, not a test of whether peer support groups improve HIV outcomes. The included studies varied by country, age, and program setting, so the experiences may not transfer to every HIV service. Some included studies had unclear reporting about the relationship between researchers and participants. Articles not in English and articles with insufficient data were excluded, which may limit the range of experiences represented.
The easy way to misread this
Do not read this as proof that peer support groups improve HIV treatment outcomes. It synthesized qualitative experiences, and it also reported that peer pressure can discourage antiretroviral therapy and cause harm.