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. 1997;1(3):163-168.
doi: 10.1023/b:aibe.0000002976.60851.8b.

Low-Income Women and HIV Risk Reduction: Elaborations from Qualitative Research

Michael P Carey  1 , Christopher M Gordon, Dianne Morrison-Beedy, Deborah A McLean
Affiliations

Low-Income Women and HIV Risk Reduction: Elaborations from Qualitative Research

Michael P Carey et al. AIDS Behav. 1997.

Abstract

Focus groups were conducted with 45 young, single, low-income women regarding the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). Risk in this sample was substantial as 53% had multiple sexual partners, and 55% reported a recent sexually transmitted disease. Qualitative analysis of transcribed focus groups identified six themes that emerged across groups: (a) misinformation about vertical transmission and treatment of HIV-related illnesses; (b) risk perception linked to emotive factors rather than objective data; (c) uncertainty regarding the risk-reducing value of monogamy; (d) fatalism linked with ambivalence about HIV-antibody testing and treatment; (e) recognition of the importance of discussing HIV-related topics with children, but concern that such discussion with other women might be inappropriate; and (f) inconsistent communication regarding HIV-transmission and prevention with partners, partly the result of concerns about violating trust in intimate relationships. These themes warrant attention in the development of HIV risk-reduction programs.

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