@article {5605,
	title = {A qualitative analysis of multi-level barriers to HIV testing among women in Lebanon.},
	journal = {Culture, health \& sexuality},
	year = {2017},
	month = {2017 Feb 13},
	pages = {1-15},
	abstract = {While the number of HIV cases in the Middle East and North Africa region is low compared to other regions, recent studies show that incidence is~increasing especially among high-risk populations; in particular, little is known about women and HIV in the region. Through semi-structured interviews with sexual healthcare providers and staff at non-governmental organisations, we sought to understand barriers to HIV testing among women in Lebanon. Using snowball sampling, key informants were recruited from greater Beirut (12 physicians, 9 non-governmental organisation staff). Data were analysed using a grounded theory framework. Findings identified barriers to HIV testing among women at each level of an adapted social-ecological model (i.e. social-cultural barriers, policy barriers, interpersonal healthcare provider barriers and intrapersonal barriers). Primary findings include the culture of sex as taboo; lack of sexual health education among women; fear of disclosing HIV testing and diagnosis; financial barriers linked to stigmatising insurance policies; and provider attitudes towards women. Findings can be used to inform HIV-related sexual health interventions at multiple levels for women in Lebanon and the greater region.},
	issn = {1464-5351},
	doi = {10.1080/13691058.2017.1282045},
	author = {Clark, Kirsty A and Keene, Danya E and Pachankis, John E and Fattal, Omar and Rizk, Nesrine and Khoshnood, Kaveh}
}
