Este estudio exploratorio tipo descriptivo tiene el propósito de auscultar las experiencias en el ambiente laboral de las personas que viven con VIH/SIDA en Puerto Rico. En esta investigación participaron 58 personas seropositivas que estaban trabajando y recibiendo terapia para su condición en el momento de su participación. El diseño de investigación utilizado es ex post-facto y la muestra se obtuvo por disponibilidad. El instrumento utilizado para recopilar los datos fue el Cuestionario de VIH/SIDA y trabajo de Burgos, Martínez y Pérez. Los resultados indican que no se encontró evidencia de que los participantes hayan experimentado discriminación por su condición en su lugar de trabajo. Sin embargo, la mayoría de la muestra tiene temor por revelar su seropositividad para evitar una situación de estigma o discriminación. El miedo a pasar por esa experiencia los lleva a callar su condición. Se evidencio que la mayoría no solicita servicios que pueden ayudarlos a afrontar los efectos de la condición. Entre los hallazgos de esta investigación se encuentra información referente a la auto-percepción de la salud de la muestra, la discriminación, las razones para continuar trabajando, cambios en sus carreras o tareas laborales, el significado que tienen del trabajo y las políticas organizacionales existentes en sus centros de trabajo. Estos datos pueden servir de ayuda para crear estrategias y políticas organizacionales dirigidas a ayudar y a proteger las personas que viven con VIH/ SIDA en los centros laborales.AbstractThe purpose of this study was to create a precedent in demonstrating general aspects of the experiences of the people who live with HIV/AIDS in the laboral atmosphere in Puerto Rico. This is an exploratory descriptive study where 58 individual with seropositive results participated with the purpose of knowing their experiences in their labour life. The instrument utilized for the data collection was the HIV/AIDS and Work Questionnaire of Burgos, Martínez and Pérez. The results of this study demonstrate a high fear from the sample to reveal their seropositive condition to avoid a situation of stigma or prejudice in their workplaces. Although there was no significant evidence that they have experimented prejudice, the fear to have this experience limited them to keep private their diagnostic and not to ask for services that could help them to confront the effects of the condition. As part of the data collected in this study, there is information related to the self-perception of the health situation of the sample, prejudice, reasons that the sample have to continue working, evidence of the changes that they have had to make in their careers or work tasks, their meaning of work, their life interests, and the strategies and organizational policies in their workplaces.
The purpose of this study was to create a precedent in demonstrating general aspects of the experiences of the people who live with HIV/AIDS in the laboral atmosphere in Puerto Rico. This is an exploratory descriptive study where 58 individual with seropositive results participated with the purpose of knowing their experiences in their labour life. The instrument utilized for the data collection was the HIV/AIDS and Work Questionnaire of Burgos, Martínez and Pérez. The results of this study demonstrate a high fear from the sample to reveal their seropositive condition to avoid a situation of stigma or prejudice in their workplaces. Although there was no significant evidence that they have experimented prejudice, the fear to have this experience limited them to keep private their diagnostic and not to ask for services that could help them to confront the effects of the condition. As part of the data collected in this study, there is information related to the self-perception of the health situation of the sample, prejudice, reasons that the sample have to continue working, evidence of the changes that they have had to make in their careers or work tasks, their meaning of work, their life interests, and the strategies and organizational policies in their workplaces.