[Uncertainty and hope in seropositive women]

This qualitative research study uses a phenomenological approach to understand the significant of uncertainty and hope in seropositive women and to determine the link between the two. Four seropositive women with children make up the sample. The findings illustrate that uncertainty can be divided into nine themes; reactions on learning or seropositivity; the unknowns of seropositive; the feeling that time and the future are limited; the law of silence; concerns about children; concerns about people withdrawing; concerns about intimate relationships; the image of people living with HIV, and the difficulty experiencing loss--especially loss of control over one's life. The findings also illustrate that hope can be divided into seven themes: seeking assistance through self-help groups; coherence with children; the changing perception of seropositivity; developing relationships with others living with HIV; the fight against HIV; a personal commitment to wellness; and new life experiences and spiritual growth. These findings could be used to determine measures to improve the well-being and health of seropositive women. The authors make recommendations for nursing practice.