Brown-Peterside P, Lucy D, Koblin BA; National HIV Prevention Conference (2003 : Atlanta, Ga.).

Abstr Book 2003 Natl HIV Prev Conf July 27 30 2003 Hyatt Regency Atlanta Hotel Atlanta Ga Natl HIV Prev Conf 2003 Atlanta Ga. 2003; abstract no. MP-160.

New York Blood Center, New York, NY

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: Women who smoke crack cocaine are at high sexual risk of HIV infection. Thus there is an urgent need to better understand what they know about HIV/AIDS, how they assess their risk for HIV, what strategies they employ to reduce their risk of HIV and how they have been affected by the epidemic.METHODS: Qualitative in-depth interviews were conducted with 20 HIV negative heterosexually active crack-using women (18-44 years). Content analysis was used to identify their knowledge of HIV/AIDS, their perceptions of their own HIV risk, and strategies they use to decrease their HIV risk were assessed. The impact of the AIDS epidemic on their lives was also ascertained.RESULTS: Women were likely to have accurate basic knowledge about modes of HIV transmission and ways to reduce the risk of HIV infection though these were not always personalized. Confusion was evident with respect to understanding the difference between the window and incubation periods. This lack of knowledge translated into a widespread inability of the women to assess their risk for HIV infection based on their own behaviors. Some women believed HIV infection was inevitable for them, despite their behaviors or their change in behavior, resulting in a lack of self efficacy. For them, a fear of HIV and of being tested for HIV was pervasive. Others believed their chance of becoming infected was minimal despite the risk behaviors they continued to engage in. Risk perceptions were related to how personally affected a woman had been by the HIV/AIDS epidemic.CONCLUSIONS: HIV risk reduction programs for crack-using women need to be more thorough and creative in explaining concepts relevant to HIV infection and disease progression, and in helping women to more accurately assess their risk of HIV.

Publication Types:

• Meeting Abstracts

Keywords:

• AIDS Vaccines
• Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome
• Crack Cocaine
• Evaluation Studies
• Female
• HIV Infections
• HIV Seropositivity
• Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice
• Humans
• Knowledge
• Perception
• Risk-Taking

Other ID:

• GWAIDS0022296

UI: 102261920

From Meeting Abstracts