“HIV has taught us that you can survive anything”: findings from auto-ethnographic video diaries exploring resilience among people living with HIV during the Covid pandemic in five countries

This study aimed to elucidate the intrinsic and extrinsic resilience resources among people living with HIV (PLWH) during the Covid pandemic. Autoethnographic video diaries from 29 PLWH from Argentina, UK, Philippines, Zimbabwe, and Trinidad and Tobago were included. Data were thematically analysed and validated with community partners and a video was co-produced. PLWH displayed a readiness to adopt healthy behaviours and engage in optimistic and constructive thinking about the future. Hobbies and daily activities, supportive relationships with peers living with HIV, family and friends, opportunities to mobilise and contribute to their communities in meaningful ways, supportive healthcare providers and reliable access to antiretroviral treatment helped foster psychological resilience among PLWH. The extrinsic resilience resources also supported positive physical health outcomes among PLWH through improved medication adherence.