CHRISTIAN PROCESS IN CARING OF HUMAN IMMUNODEFICIENCY VIRUS: A CASE STUDY OF PERPETUAL HELP FOUNDATION, NONG BUA LAM PHU PROVINCE

Abstract

The purpose of this research was to Christian process in caring of HIV of Perpetual Help Foundation, which was qualitative. Key informants included 1 male priests, 1 female priests, 3 staff, and 4 people living with HIV. The research methods consisted of in-depth interview, non-participating observation and focused group discussion. When the researcher used content analysis, it was found that the process of Perpetual Help Foundation covered both mind and body. Staring with the screening process to classify the degrees of physical and mental sickness of HIV infected patients, the operation stages included physical care, care and encouragement provision for the infected based on the principle of loving others as you love yourself, the use of Christian doctrine, praying for spiritual refuge, being good examples of male/female clergyman, and performances of various Christian ceremonies. With variety of processes, the infected got healthy and mental immunes, and ability to live strongly while facing external pressures. At last the infected could return to console and strengthen other infected people. They realized their own value and dignity and human beings.