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Summary of FindingsHEALTH IMPACTIn terms of present health status, about half of the PLHIV in this study reported a rangeof health outcomes, the most common of which is fatigue or feeling easily tired. Otherswere sleep problems, frequent headaches, poor recall or concentration, and weight loss orloss of appetite. Problems sleeping may also be associated with feeling tired. Othersespecially among women also stated depression, diabetes, stroke and ovarian cancer.Overall, women reported more health symptoms or conditions than men.In the past, however, several had suffered serious illnesses, including severe weight loss,coma or loss of consciousness and tuberculosis, which led to HIV testing by theirdoctors. A few of the transgender sex workers, in fact, had been rescued from near-deathby workers from an NGO.Although the time of infection cannot be determined, the participants in this study werediagnosed between a few months to more than 10 years ago. Hence, this could be thereason that only about half felt or had any change to their health, most of which wastiredness and difficulty sleeping or needing more sleep.While many were not on medication yet, a few attributed HIV drugs as the reason fortheir present well-being. Without a doubt, proper medication has led to improved lifespan for those living with HIV. The high cost of these drugs was a hardship to many ofthem who had to pay for all or part of their treatment. It necessitated one to sell off hisapartment, and others to stop taking drugs. That some PLHIV, regardless of mode oftransmission, are able to obtain needed HIV medications free for a number of years, forexample through drug trials, is understandably well-received. All the participants seemedto have no problems maintaining their drug regimens for themselves, or, for a few of thewomen, their HIV-infected children. Only one woman said that she kept forgetting tokeep strictly to the schedule when she was working.For DU men, drug use was the major problem in their life with negative social andfinancial consequences. They felt that they were already marginalised as injecting drugusers, and a few felt that the majority of IDUs were probably HIV-infected as well – a“two in one” package. This perception contributes to an apathetic attitude towardspreventive actions, such as using clean needles, or even taking HIV drugs. The Ministryof Health has targeted 4,000 PLHIV as needing HAART but less than 2000 started it 7 .Yet, for some, HIV infection appeared to be the nadir in their life that prompted themfinally to commit to ending their drug dependence. For some, their outlook on lifeappeared positive, especially with the availability of medical treatment and support fromtheir families or other sources. Several are now involved in working for or volunteeringwith NGOs. One DU man affirmed his belief that HIV is not a life sentence; “….it is justa virus living inside me”.It was clear that many of the men, including DU men who are no longer using drugs, areaware, vocal, responsible towards their healthcare and, for the few who are married,7 Source: Ministry of Health126