Social Location and Decision-Making Among Women Living with HIV in the Southern United States
Author Information
Author(s): Caiola Courtney, Choufani Marianne R., André Juliette, Sommer Sadie B., Schoemann Alexander M., Bass Sarah B., Barroso Julie
Primary Institution: East Carolina University
Hypothesis
How do women living with HIV in the Southern United States perceive their social locations and make decisions about HIV care engagement and ART adherence?
Conclusion
The study reveals that women's perceptions of their social locations significantly impact their decisions regarding HIV care engagement and medication adherence.
Supporting Evidence
- Participants described how geographic context impacts HIV care engagement and medication adherence.
- Most participants identified as Black and reported living below the Federal Poverty level.
- Women reported that gender inequities negatively influenced their HIV care engagement.
Takeaway
Women living with HIV in the South face unique challenges based on their social situations, which affect how they manage their health.
Methodology
In-depth interviews and directed content analysis were used to explore women's perceptions of their social locations.
Potential Biases
Potential biases may arise from the self-reported nature of participant demographics and experiences.
Limitations
The sample lacked diversity in certain domains such as race, and most participants were already engaged in HIV care, which may not reflect the experiences of all women living with HIV.
Participant Demographics
Participants ranged in age from 23 to 72 years, with 87.5% identifying as Black, 10% as White, and 2.5% as Latina; 57.5% lived below the Federal Poverty level.
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
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