Application of ALS-IEC Theory and Its Effect on Persons Living with Human Immunodeficiency Virus

The human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) or acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) is a worldwide health issue. Around 43.8 million people living with human immunodeficiency virus (PLHIV) from 2017 to 2021, 5.1 million people were not aware that they had the virus, and not all received anti-retroviral treatment (ART). The visible problems among persons living with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) are insufficiency of HIV information about the impact it will bring into their lives and non-compliance to treatment due to fear of disclosure. The need to enhance information about HIV through extensive health teaching and exemplary education modeling may help persons living with HIV (PLHIV) live with dignity and hope as children of God. The purpose of the study is to discover what substantive theory can be used to unearth variables such as active involvement in society, life change advocacy, life promotion, dignity, one finds oneself, sensitivity to one’s knowledge needs, and accountability and commitment to be safe which led to the development of “all loving support-information, education, and counseling theory. A mixed method embedded experimental design was used in testing the theory through a double-blind approach that quantified the grounded explored experiences of the participants. The qualitative participants were 20 in focus group discussion and the quantitative participants were 30 college students living with HIV, 18-24 years old, male, Christian, and currently enrolled in a college or university in the Davao region excluding those who are sick and admitted to the hospital. Pretest findings revealed that the participants were moderately informed about facts on HIV and moderately followed the course of treatment but after a series of tests (post-test after two weeks, after one month, and after two months), reported that they were totally informed about the facts on HIV and will strictly adhere to the therapy. The pretest and post-test scores on the level of awareness and medical compliance showed significant differences after a series of tests. Thus, the application of ALS-IEC theory is effective among persons living with HIV in assessing HIV awareness and drug adherence encompassing bio-psycho-sexual-social- cultural-spiritual domains. Continued use of the personalized health assessment will also offer a learning opportunity (information) through reading (education) and nurse-delivered counseling as extended care after HIV screening counseling will address the immediate needs of clients. The study shows the general population that PLHIV needs support from the government, people, and family to nurture individual self-awareness.