Yale University

"Taking Care of Ourselves": The Experiences of Black Women Approaching and Encouraging Male Partners to Test for HIV.

Title"Taking Care of Ourselves": The Experiences of Black Women Approaching and Encouraging Male Partners to Test for HIV.
Publication TypeJournal Article
Year of Publication2016
AuthorsNolte, Kerry, Tiffany Kim, and Barbara Guthrie
JournalThe Journal of the Association of Nurses in AIDS Care : JANAC
Date Published2016 Nov 01
ISSN1552-6917
AbstractSixty percent of young adults living with HIV in the United States are unaware of their status despite recommendations to screen everyone. Effective approaches to encourage partner testing may increase status awareness. The purpose of our study was to understand young Black women's experiences when encouraging a partner to test for HIV, preferred approaches, and whether interpersonal context influenced the approach. Black women (n = 26) participated in the study in Boston-area focus groups (n = 6). Discussions ranged from difficult and stressful to positive and empowering. A variety of approaches (expressing caring, seeking understanding, leveraging the relationship, ultimatums, subtlety) were described in varied interpersonal contexts. Testing and sharing results fostered trust and relationship growth. If a partner was resistant, some ended relationships while others tested themselves and interpreted their results as their partners' status. Our findings could encourage HIV prevention initiatives to consider varied interpersonal contexts and enhance partner testing.
DOI10.1016/j.jana.2016.10.005
Alternate JournalJ Assoc Nurses AIDS Care

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