Social support for HIV-infected mothers: relation to HIV care seeking.
A cross-sectional survey was conducted to identify sources of social support for 92 HIV-seropositive mothers and to examine the relationship between social support and initiation of health care after a positive test for HIV antibody. Main outcome measures were self-reported source and amount of social support and length of time between the first positive HIV antibody test and the first visit for HIV care. Results indicated that HIV-infected mothers frequently delay seeking medical care and report attenuated social support networks. A limited program of HIV counseling and testing during pregnancy is unlikely to ensure that they will enter the healthcare system.
Williams
A B
AB
Yale School of Nursing, New Haven, CT, USA.
Shahryarinejad
A
A
Andrews
S
S
Alcabes
P
P
D000328:Adult; D015331:Cohort Studies; D004522:Educational Status; D005190:Family; D005260:Female; D006679:HIV Seropositivity / Q000523:psychology*; D006296:Health Services / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D006801:Humans; D011247:Pregnancy; D011251:Pregnancy Complications, Infectious / Q000523:psychology* / Q000821:virology; D012944:Social Support; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires