Women are more likely to get HIV for several biological reasons.
Many HIV positive women with negative partners worry about giving HIV to their partner(s). While research shows that men give HIV more easily than women give the virus, women can still pass HIV to uninfected partners — both male and female — through sex. This is because HIV is in blood (including menstrual blood), vaginal fluids, and in cells in the vaginal and anal walls. HIV levels in vaginal fluids also increase a lot in the presence of vaginal yeast infections and STDs. Swelling of the vagina, a common symptom of such infections, causes tiny scrapes and cuts on the delicate skin of the vaginal area that can hide HIV. HIV levels can also increase temporarily after getting treatment for some of these conditions. In short, the surest way to avoid passing any STDs, including HIV, is to not have sex. There is no way to know when you are more or less likely to give HIV to your partner(s). Exposure to vaginal fluids with high levels of HIV increases the risk of passing the virus. The risk increases even more when your partner has an infection or inflammation. If you do have sex, use a latex condom every time. Violence Against Women – Sexual AssaultViolence against women plays a huge role in increasing the risk of HIV infection for women. It is a key reason why women are more likely to get HIV infection than men, particularly during violent or forced-sex situations. The cuts caused through forced penetration allow easy entry of the virus. This is especially true for young girls, whose reproductive tracts are less fully developed. Fear of violence is a factor in terms of seeking treatment. Women may delay being tested for HIV or fail to return for the results because they are afraid that sharing their HIV positive status may result in physical violence. Barriers to CareWomen infected with HIV may have less access to or lower use of health care resources. This may be due to:
Many experts also believe poverty, unemployment, and lack of education are helping to "drive" the growing HIV problem among women. Women living in inner-city poor neighborhoods are often in poor health and without access to health care for prevention or treatment. While high-risk behavior in these communities directly spreads HIV/AIDS, urban poverty is clearly playing an important role. Yet, the HIV problem does not only belong to poor neighborhoods in large cities, such as New York and Washington, DC. HIV also affects women in more rural neighborhoods in southern states. Researchers in North Carolina found that African American women with HIV infections were more likely to:
In addition to these challenges, research has highlighted other issues that affect the lifespan of women with HIV. Studies have shown that women with HIV do not live as long as men with HIV, perhaps because women are less likely to be diagnosed early. Early diagnosis of HIV allows women to benefit more from antiretroviral treatments. Other issues may also play a role in this difference in survival.
HIV and African American WomenAIDS is the leading cause of death among African American women aged 25-34 years, living in the United States. There are many issues that may contribute to the problem.
African American men on the "down low" may also be a factor in the burden of HIV on African American women. A Secret World: Men on the "Down Low"The term "down low" or "DL" means to keep something private, whether related to information or actions. Being "on the down low," "on the DL," or "on the low low," are terms that are often used to describe men who have sex with men as well as women, but do not identify themselves as gay or bisexual. While the term "DL" has most often been identified with African American men, research has shown that it also describes the lives of some White and Hispanic men. Yet because being "on the DL" is defined by secrecy, very little is known about these men. It is not known how many of these men:
Researchers are working to better understand the sex-related HIV risks of men who are "on the down low." The concern for women remains exposure to HIV without them knowing, if their partners get HIV from unsafe sex with HIV positive men.
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Content last updated January 25, 2008. |
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