Meeting the needs of women living with HIV.
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.
Metcalfe
K A
KA
University of Western Ontario, London, Canada.
Langstaff
J E
JE
Evans
S J
SJ
Paterson
H M
HM
Reid
J L
JL
D002170:Canada; D005260:Female; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000523:psychology; D006301:Health Services Needs and Demand; D006801:Humans; D012944:Social Support; D014932:Women's Health Services / Q000458:organization & administration*