Objective  To systematically evaluate and integrate qualitative studies on the illness experience in patients with comorbid human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection and hypertension, and to provide reference for improving their illness experience, enhancing quality of life, and strengthening disease management.

Methods  PubMed, the Cochrane Library, CINAHL, Web of Science, Embase, PsycINFO, Medline, Scopus, CNKI, WanFang Data, VIP, CBM were searched for qualitative studies on the illness experience in patients with comorbid HIV infection and hypertension from the establishment of the databases to August 2024.

Results  A total of 11 qualitative studies were included, and 38 original research results were extracted, which were summarized into 9 categories and integrated into 3 integrated results: lack of correct cognition, hoping to conduct comprehensive management of hypertension and HIV infection; presence of multiple negative emotions, yet actively coping and deriving benefits from the experience; patients with HIV and hypertension facing multiple challenges.

Conclusion  Patients with comorbid HIV infection and hypertension lack sufficient disease-related knowledge and face multiple difficulties. Healthcare providers should  strengthen the health education of patients with comorbid HIV infection and hypertension to enhance their cognitive level and improve their illness experience.

1.UNAIDS. Global HIV & AIDS statistics-fact sheet[EB/OL]. (2024-08-02) [2024-11-08]. https://www.unaids.org/en/resources/fact-sheet

2.Katz IT, Maughan-Brown B. Improved life expectancy of people living with HIV: who is left behind?[J]. Lancet HIV, 2017, 4(8): e324-e326. DOI: 10.1016/S2352-3018(17)30086-3.

3.GBD 2015 Mortality and Causes of Death Collaborators. Global, regional, and national life expectancy, all-cause mortality, and cause-specific mortality for 249 causes of death, 1980-2015: a systematic analysis for the global burden of disease study 2015[J]. Lancet, 2016, 388(10053): 1459-1544. DOI: 10.1016/S0140-6736(16)31012-1.

4.Egger M, Johnson LF. Estimating trends in life expectancy in HIV-positive individuals[J]. Lancet Glob Health, 2015, 3(3): e122-e123. DOI: 10.1016/S2214-109X(14)70383-3.

5.Du M, Zhang S, Liu M, et al. Cardiovascular disease and its risk factors among people living with HIV: a systematic review and Meta-analysis[J]. J Infect Public Health, 2025, 18(2): 102654. DOI: 10.1016/j.jiph.2025.102654.

6.Siddiqui M, Hannon L, Wang Z, et al. Hypertension and cardiovascular disease risk among individuals with versus without HIV[J]. Hypertension, 2023, 80(4): 852-860. DOI: 10.1161/HYPERTENSIONAHA.122.19889.

7.何春燕, 徐小慧, 何纳, 等. HIV阳性者高血压发病密度及影响因素的系统综述[J]. 中华疾病控制杂志, 2024, 28(6): 721-728. [He CY, Xu XH, He N, et al. Systematic review of the incidence and risk factors of hypertension among HIV-positive individuals[J]. Chinese Journal of Disease Control and Prevention, 2024, 28(6): 721-728.] DOI: 10.16462/j.cnki.zhjbkz.2024.06.016.

8.Bigna JJ, Ndoadoumgue AL, Nansseu JR, et al. Global burden of hypertension among people living with HIV in the era of increased life expectancy: a systematic review and meta-analysis[J]. J Hypertens, 2020, 38(9): 1659-1668. DOI: 10.1097/HJH.0000000000002446.

9.Adeyemi O, Lyons M, Njim T, et al. Integration of non-communicable disease and HIV/AIDS management: a review of healthcare policies and plans in east Africa[J]. BMJ Global Health, 2021, 6(5): e004669. DOI: 10.1136/bmjgh-2020-004669.

10.Wanni Arachchige Dona S, Bohingamu Mudiyanselage S, Watts  JJ, et al. Added socioeconomic burden of non-communicable disease on HIV/AIDS affected households in the Asia pacific region: a systematic review[J]. Lancet Reg Health West Pac, 2021, 9: 100111. DOI: 10.1016/j.lanwpc.2021.100111.

11.Joanna Briggs Institute. Critical appraisal tools[EB/OL]. (2017-12) [2024-10-21]. https://jbi.global/critical-appraisal-tools

12.廖星, 胡瑞学, 李博, 等. 混合方法研究评价工具的介绍——MMAT[J]. 中国全科医学, 2021, 24(31): 4015-4020. [Liao X, Hu RX, Li B, et al. An introduction to mixed methods appraisal tool[J]. Chinese General Practice, 2021, 24(31): 4015-4020.] DOI: 10.12114/j.issn.1007-9572.2021.00.215.

13.Aromataris E, Lockwood C, Porritt K, et al. Systematic reviews of qualitative evidence. JBI manual for evidence synthesis-2024 edition[EB/OL]. (2024-3-26) [2024-10-21]. https://synthesismanual.jbi.global

14.Godongwana M, De Wet-Billings N, Milovanovic M. The comorbidity of HIV, hypertension and diabetes: a qualitative study exploring the challenges faced by healthcare providers and patients in selected urban and rural health facilities where the ICDM model is implemented in south Africa[J]. BMC Health Serv Res, 2021, 21(1): 647. DOI: 10.1186/s12913-021-06670-3.

15.Badacho AS, Mahomed OH. Lived experiences of people living with HIV and hypertension or diabetes access to care in Ethiopia: a phenomenological study[J]. BMJ Open, 2024, 14(2): e078036. DOI: 10.1136/bmjopen-2023-078036.

16.Monroe AK, Rowe TL, Moore RD, et al. Medication adherence in HIV-positive patients with diabetes or hypertension: a focus group study[J]. BMC Health Serv Res, 2013, 13: 488. DOI: 10.1186/1472-6963-13-488.

17.Hout MCAV, Zalwango F, Akugizibwe M, et al. Women living with HIV, diabetes and/or hypertension multi-morbidity in Uganda: a qualitative exploration of experiences accessing an integrated care service[J]. Journal of Integrated Care, 2023, 31(1): 86-99. DOI: 10.1108/JICA-06-2022-0033.

18.Tokwe L, Naidoo JR. Lived experiences of human immunodeficiency virus and hypertension in the Eastern Cape, South Africa[J]. Afr J Prim Health Care Fam Med, 2020, 12(1): e1-e8. DOI: 10.4102/phcfm.v12i1.2472.

19.Manavalan P, Minja L, Wanda L, et al. "It's because I think too much": perspectives and experiences of adults with hypertension engaged in HIV care in northern Tanzania[J]. PLoS One, 2020, 15(12): e0243059. DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0243059.

20.Ottaru TA, Wood CV, Butt Z, et al. "I only seek treatment when I am ill": experiences of hypertension and diabetes care among adults living with HIV in urban Tanzania[J]. BMC Health Serv Res, 2024, 24(1): 186. DOI: 10.1186/s12913-024-10688-8.

21.Moucheraud C, Phiri K, Hoffman RM. Health behaviours and beliefs among malawian adults taking antihypertensive medication and antiretroviral therapy: a qualitative study[J]. Glob Public Health, 2022, 17(5): 688-699. DOI: 10.1080/17441692.2021.1874468.

22.Hing M, Hoffman RM, Seleman J, et al. 'Blood pressure can kill you tomorrow, but HIV gives you time': illness perceptions and treatment experiences among Malawian individuals living with HIV and hypertension[J]. Health Policy Plan, 2019, 34(Supplement_2): ii36-ii44. DOI: 10.1093/heapol/czz112.

23.Batte C, Mukisa J, Rykiel N, et al. Acceptability of patient-centered hypertension education delivered by community health workers among people living with HIV/AIDS in rural Uganda[J]. BMC Public Health, 2021, 21(1): 1343. DOI: 10.1186/s12889-021-11411-6.

24.Muddu M, Ssinabulya I, Kigozi SP, et al. Hypertension care cascade at a large urban HIV clinic in Uganda: a mixed methods study using the capability, opportunity, motivation for behavior change (COM-B) model[J]. Implement Sci Commun, 2021, 2(1): 121. DOI: 10.1186/s43058-021-00223-9.

25.Jackson IL, Okonta JM, Ukwe CV. HIV-and hypertension-related knowledge and medication adherence in HIV seropositive persons with hypertension[J]. J Public Health (Oxf), 2022, 44(1): e79-e87. DOI: 10.1093/pubmed/fdaa221.

26.Costa AN, Val F, Macedo ÁE, et al. Increased prevalence of hypertension among people living with HIV: where to begin?[J]. Rev Soc Bras Med Trop, 2020, 53: e20190564. DOI: 10.1590/0037-8682-0564-2019.

27.Fu Y, Zhang S, Guo X, et al. Socioeconomic status and quality of life among older adults with hypertension in rural shandong, China: a mediating effect of social capital[J]. Front Public Health, 2023, 11: 1248291. DOI: 10.3389/fpubh.2023.1248291.

28.Abdulai MA, Marable JK, Wadus A, et al. A qualitative analysis of factors influencing health-seeking behavior of people living with HIV, hypertension and diabetes in an urban area of Ghana[J]. J Multimorb Comorb, 2022, 12: 26335565221092664. DOI: 10.1177/26335565221092664.

29.Garrib A, Birungi J, Lesikari S, et al. Integrated care for human immunodeficiency virus, diabetes and hypertension in Africa[J]. Trans R Soc Trop Med Hyg, 2019, 113(12): 809-812. DOI: 10.1093/trstmh/try098.

30.Osetinsky B, Genberg BL, Bloomfield GS, et al. Hypertension control and retention in care among HIV-infected patients: the effects of co-located HIV and chronic noncommunicable disease care[J]. J Acquir Immune Defic Syndr, 2019, 82(4): 399-406. DOI: 10.1097/QAI.0000000000002154.

31.Fauk NK, Ward PR, Hawke K, et al. HIV stigma and discrimination: perspectives and personal experiences of healthcare providers in Yogyakarta and Belu, Indonesia[J]. Front Med (Lausanne), 2021, 8: 625787. DOI: 10.3389/fmed.2021.625787.

32.Moskowitz JT, Carrico AW, Duncan LG, et al. Randomized controlled trial of a positive affect intervention for people newly diagnosed with HIV[J]. J Consult Clin Psychol, 2017, 85(5): 409-423. DOI: 10.1037/ccp0000188.

33.Carrico AW, Antoni MH, Weaver KE, et al. Cognitive-behavioural stress management with HIV-positive homosexual men: mechanisms of sustained reductions in depressive symptoms[J]. Chronic Illn, 2005, 1(3): 207-215. DOI: 10.1177/17423953050010030401.

34.Boateng D, Kwapong GD, Agyei-Baffour P. Knowledge, perception about antiretroviral therapy (ART) and prevention of mother-to-child-transmission (PMTCT) and adherence to ART among HIV positive women in the Ashanti region, Ghana: a cross-sectional study[J]. BMC Womens Health, 2013, 13: 2. DOI: 10.1186/1472-6874-13-2.

35.中国高血压防治指南修订委员会, 高血压联盟(中国), 中国医疗保健国际交流促进会高血压病学分会, 等. 中国高血压防治指南(2024年修订版)[J]. 中华高血压杂志, 2024, 32(7): 603-700. [China Hypertension Prevention and Treatment Guidelines Revision Committee, Hypertension Coalition, China Association for the Promotion of International Exchange in Health Care (CAIPHC) Hypertension Branch, et al. Chinese Guidelines for the Prevention and Treatment of Hypertension (2024 Revision) [J]. Chinese Journal of Hypertension, 2024, 32(7): 603-700.] DOI: 10.16439/j.issn.1673-7245.2024.07.002.

36.Enslin D, Mallya P. Factors influencing treatment adherence in hypertension and HIV management in South Africa: a comparative literature review[J]. S Afr Fam Pract (2004), 2022, 64(1): e1-e10. DOI: 10.4102/safp.v64i1.5434.

37.Jackson IL, Ukwe CV. Clinical outcomes of pharmaceutical care intervention in HIV positive patients with hypertension: a randomized controlled study[J]. J Clin Pharm Ther, 2021, 46(4): 1083-1094. DOI: 10.1111/jcpt.13400.