background Trauma-emotional, physical, and psychological-is common and associated with increased risk behaviors, low rates of care engagement and viral suppression, and overall poor health outcomes for people living with HIV (PLWH). This article presents the results of 15 in-depth, semi-structured interviews with PLWH in the Southeastern United States in which participants identified a trauma and described its long-lasting impact on their lives. Participants' trauma narratives described a wide range of traumas, including childhood sexual abuse, the loss of a loved one, and their HIV diagnosis. methods Systematic qualitative analysis was used to delineate beliefs about causes, symptoms, treatments, quality of life, and health implications of trauma. results: Fifteen participants completed semi-structured interviews that lasted on average 32 minutes. Participants described a wide spectrum of personal trauma that occurred both prior and subsequent to their HIV diagnosis. The types of trauma identified included physical, sexual, and psychological abuse inflicted by intimate partners, family members, and/or strangers. limitations A chief limitation of this study is selection bias. Additionally, the participant selection and content of the trauma narratives might have been affected by the surrounding context of the parent study centered on HIV, aging, and psychosocial stress. It is also difficult to interpret the distinction between discrete trauma experiences and the diagnosis of HIV, leading to potential information bias. conclusion This study highlights the importance of social support in coping with trauma and the effect of trauma on health-related behaviors. It also illustrates the need for additional research on the topic of trauma and trauma-informed care for PLWH. Understanding how different types of trauma affect individuals' lives is necessary to inform recommendations to provide better care for PLWH.

BackgroundTrauma—emotional, physical, and psychological—is common and associated with increased risk behaviors, low rates of care engagement and viral suppression, and overall poor health outcomes for people living with HIV (PLWH). In the United States, there are limited data on how trauma affects reproductive health beliefs for PLWH and even less data on HIV providers’ understanding and consideration of these experiences in their approach to patients.MethodsFifteen semi-structured interviews were conducted with PLWH and nine semi-structured interviews were conducted with HIV care and service providers at an academic medical center in the Southeastern United States. Transcripts were analyzed using thematic analysis. Each transcript was coded by two investigators and discussed to ensure consensus.ResultsParticipants’ narratives described diverse traumas, including sexual abuse (n = 6), the loss of a loved one (n = 8), and personal illness (n = 7). Types of trauma shared with providers included physical, sexual, illness, loss, and psychological. For patients, trauma was both a motivation for having children and a reason to stop having children. Providers perceived a variety of effects of trauma on both sexual behaviors and reproductive intentions. Reproductive counseling by HIV care providers (n = 5) focused on maintaining a healthy pregnancy and less on reproductive intentions prior to pregnancy. Reproductive discussions with pregnant female patients typically centered on reducing the risk of transmission in utero (including the importance of medication adherence to maintain viral suppression), what will happen during delivery, and breastfeeding risks. Reproductive discussions with males typically centered on preventing infection or re-infection of the mother.ConclusionPLWH interpret their trauma experiences differently, particularly when considering reproduction. Providers may not incorporate this information in counseling around reproductive health, highlighting the need fora trauma-informed healthcare practice that promotes awareness, education on the effect of past traumas on health, and access to appropriate resources.Disclosures All authors: No reported disclosures.