Yale University

Perceptions of Community HIV/STI Risk Among U.S Women Living in Areas with High Poverty and HIV Prevalence Rates.

TitlePerceptions of Community HIV/STI Risk Among U.S Women Living in Areas with High Poverty and HIV Prevalence Rates.
Publication TypeJournal Article
Year of Publication2015
AuthorsBlackstock, Oni J., Paula Frew, Dorothy Bota, Linda Vo-Green, Kim Parker, Julie Franks, Sally L. Hodder, Jessica Justman, Carol E. Golin, Danielle F. Haley, Irene Kuo, Adaora A. Adimora, Anne Rompalo, Lydia Soto-Torres, Jing Wang, and Sharon B. Mannheimer
JournalJournal of health care for the poor and underserved
Volume26
Issue3
Pagination811-23
Date Published2015
ISSN1548-6869
AbstractAlthough studies have consistently demonstrated that women at high risk for HIV and non-HIV sexually transmitted infections (STIs) tend to underestimate their individual risk, little is known about how women at risk perceive their community's HIV/STI risk. We explored perceptions of community HIV/STI risk among U.S. women living in areas with high poverty and HIV prevalence rates as part of a qualitative substudy of the Women's HIV SeroIncidence Study. Semi-structured focus groups were conducted. Data were coded and analyzed using the constant comparative method. Participants expressed the perception that their communities were at elevated HIV/STI risk, mostly due to contextual and structural factors such as lack of access to health care and education. Findings suggest that HIV prevention messages that target U.S. women at high risk for HIV may be strengthened by addressing the high perceived community HIV/STI risk driven by structural factors.
DOI10.1353/hpu.2015.0069
Alternate JournalJ Health Care Poor Underserved

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