Beyond the Diagnosis: The Role of Spirituality in the Care of Patients with HIV

This article investigates the role of spirituality and religion in the healthcare of people living with HIV in the border city of Tijuana, Baja California, Mexico. Although medical services in the country tend to downplay the importance of the spiritual dimension, reducing it to practices like meditation, this study highlights its significant impact on the patients' experience. Based on a project exploring healthcare access for migrants frozen in movement who live with HIV, it was found that spirituality and faith are key elements in the lives of many of these individuals. The analysis focuses on how spirituality influences treatment adherence and the emotional management of the disease. In a context marked by marginalization and constant mobility, faith provides psychosocial support that goes beyond conventional medical intervention. The study suggests that incorporating the spiritual dimension into medical care could improve the quality of life and treatment adherence for these patients, offering a comprehensive perspective that recognizes the complex interactions between body, mind, and spirit in the experience of living with HIV. This work proposes a reevaluation of the role of spirituality in healthcare, emphasizing the need for healthcare professionals to integrate more holistic approaches in the treatment of chronic illnesses such as HIV. Ultimately, the study opens a dialogue on how spiritual practices can contribute to the well-being of patients in a border context, where physical and symbolic barriers deeply affect the health and lives of individuals.