Meeting the Needs of Women Living with HIV

Abstract

HIV research, treatment, and support programs in North America have been based on the premise that HIV is a gay man's disease. HIV also affects women. The purposes of this study were to: (1) examine the feelings, concerns, and needs of HIV infected women in a mid-sized Canadian city; and (2) determine whether a community agency for HIV positive persons was adequately supporting women. With informed consent, HIV positive women attending the community agency or a regional medical care facility were interviewed using qualitative research methods to elicit their lived experience. Eight women were interviewed (20% of the women who are HIV positive in this center). Four areas of concern were identified: (1) the impact of diagnosis on women and their children; (2) need for supports specific to HIV positive women; (3) differences in needs and supports available to men and women; and (4) lack of comfort with, or knowledge about, currently available facilities. These results are consistent with previously reported research. HIV positive women who are neither drug-users nor promiscuous feel stigmatized and less supported than HIV positive males. Recommendations for practice included: formulation of self-help groups for women, a more female friendly atmosphere, presence of female staff and other HIV positive women to support these women, and improved inter-agency cooperation. Many recommendations have been implemented and exceeded. The community agency now includes a child's play area, the hiring of a female social worker, and the establishment of an off-site support group for HIV positive women.

A Randomized Controlled Trial to Reduce HIV Transmission Risk Behaviors and Sexually Transmitted Diseases Among Women Living With HIV

“…48 Women living with HIV may encounter stigmas associated with their being perceived as sexually promiscuous or as vectors for HIV transmission. 49,50 Our gender- tailored framework encouraged using supportive and nonjudgmental network members to provide support. Further, the use of HIV-positive female peer educators and the small size of the educational groups may have created an atmosphere that encouraged the adoption of safer sex practices.…”

African and European HIV-positive women: Psychological and psychosocial differences

“…Some studies noted that HIV-positive women who are neither drug users nor promiscuous are stigmatized and feel they receive less support than HIV-positive males (Metcalfe et al, 1998). A lack of understanding of risk behaviour patterns, ignorance of the sexual partner's risk practices, lack of information on HIV-related symptoms and perceived invulnerability to infection were the principal obstacles to women recognizing their at-risk status and seeking a screening test (Siegel et al, 1998).…”

“…HIV research, treatment and support programmes in both North America and Europe have been based on the premise that HIV is a condition affecting homosexual men, but HIV also affects women (Metcalfe et al, 1998). Women are, in fact, the fastest-growing demographic group of HIV-infected individuals, yet most publications are still reporting results on male samples, while the speci c clinical manifestations and psychological reactions in female populations remain unknown.…”

Educating women about HIV/AIDS: some international comparisons

“…According to Metcalfe et al (1998), HIV-positive women feel more stigmatized and less supported than men. Educating women about HIV/AIDS 155 They may be excluded from the informal grapevine regarding HIV treatment information which gay men access (Taylor, 1990).…”