Living with HIV in later life: self-Management experiences of older adults in China-a descriptive qualitative study

This descriptive qualitative study explored the self-management experiences of older adults living with HIV in China, an emerging population facing the dual challenges of aging and chronic disease management. Seventeen participants aged 50-72 years were purposively recruited from Chengdu and Meishan between April and August 2025. Semi-structured interviews were conducted, audio-recorded, transcribed verbatim, and analyzed using Braun and Clarke's six-step thematic analysis, following the COREQ checklist to ensure methodological rigor. Five major themes and ten subthemes were identified, encompassing diverse daily self-management practices, disease cognition and health information experiences, psychological and emotional responses, social support and resource utilization, and aging-related challenges and adaptations. Participants reported multiple barriers-including physical decline, stigma, limited health literacy, and treatment side effects-as well as facilitators such as proactive learning, psychological resilience, family engagement, and supportive healthcare services. The findings highlight the complex interplay of obstacles and adaptive strategies in self-management among older adults with HIV and underscore the need for culturally sensitive, age-appropriate educational and supportive interventions tailored to this population in China.