The role of home in HIV/AIDS: a visual approach to understanding human-environment interactions in the context of long-term illness.

To better understand the human-environment experience, particularly within the context of chronic illness, eight HIV-positive participants provided a guided tour of the interior and exterior spaces of their residence. A video camera recorded all visual and verbal elements of the tours so that the interviewer could more accurately represent each individual's story of illness as it pertained to his or her home. Four primary roles of the home were identified which include self-expression, control, security, and restoration. By bringing these roles to light, particularly for chronically ill populations, we can begin to improve the relationship between humans, dwellings, and health.