title: Worry: women's experience of HIV testing.
abstract: Although HIV infection is increasing among all women, pregnant women are primarily targeted for testing. The authors explore the experience of nonpregnant women seeking HIV testing, particularly factors that influenced testing, waiting for results, and the testing process. They interviewed 26 first-time testers, analyzed transcripts independently, then compared and consensually validated. Phenomenological reflection guided thematic analysis. A pattern of Worry emerged from relational themes evident in three phases of the experience: (a) Deciding, (b) Testing, and (c) What Next? Participants identified HIV testing as stressful, even when they regarded the process positively. Findings can sensitize providers to women's perceptions, decision making, and barriers to testing. Providers are challenged to provide accessible testing that protects confidentiality in conjunction with supportive discussion of concerns.
authors.affiliation: Medical College of Ohio School of Nursing, Toledo, Ohio, USA.
authors.forename: Jane E
authors.initials: JE
authors.lastname: Ransom
authors.forename: Bobbie
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Siler
authors.forename: Rosalind M
authors.initials: RM
authors.lastname: Peters
authors.forename: Mary Jo
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: Maurer
mesh_terms: D015492:AIDS Serodiagnosis / Q000523:psychology* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001007:Anxiety; D005260:Female; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000523:psychology; D006801:Humans; D007407:Interviews as Topic; D008875:Middle Aged; D015146:Midwestern United States; D033262:Narration; D010342:Patient Acceptance of Health Care / Q000523:psychology*; D036301:Qualitative Research; D012309:Risk-Taking; D013315:Stress, Psychological; D035501:Uncertainty; D019037:Urban Health Services