Interview 32
He presented with significant loss of weight and a chest infection in 1998, and he was diagnosed with HIV. He has been on antiviral medication for a number of years. (Video and audio clips read by an actor.)
A 29 year old man, single with an young child, originally from Africa.
More about me...
Age at interview' 29
Age at diagnosis' 22
Sex' Male
Background' A 29 year old man, originally from Africa, single with an young child.
Outline' A 29 year old man, originally from Africa, single with a young child. He presented with significant loss of weight and a chest infection in 1998, and he was diagnosed with HIV. He has been on antiviral medication for a number of years. He is doing higher education and is Christian, although he is concerned that 'extreme' people in his religion can mislead people about their medication. He struggles to remain of positive mind, is on benefits, and is concerned about the discrimination faced by Africans trying to find work in the UK.
(Video and audio clips read by an actor.)
Argues that some people in religions can be extreme and might try to convince you to stop HIV...
Argues that some people in religions can be extreme and might try to convince you to stop HIV...
I am a Christian and I value my religion very much. But normally for me, I don't mix religion with the… it's nothing to do with the medication. Because I know there are some ex, extreme people in my religion yeah? Some of the churches who are if you, if you start going to attend there, then they can start deceiving you that, leave your medication, they are coming to pray for you and... So that one I do, I disagree completely... I yeah, something to do with medication I don't mix with it, the religion.
I can take my medication, and then I go and pray like that, I look at it two, separate. Because God says look after yourself before he can look after you. So don't surrender your medication… God created us with wisdom, the wisdom to create medicine, which is the wisdom that is coming from God.