Purpose: To discover homeless women's views of HIV/AIDS, to discover their perceptions of transmission of the virus and how to prevent transmission, and to place their AIDS knowledge in the context of their overall heath care activities. Background: Homeless women are at high risk for AIDS and other health problems. Women are the fastest growing group of reported AIDS cases in the USA; HIV infection affects women differently than men. Homelessness can be both the cause and effect of illnesses. Methods: Critical ethnography. Participant observation, and interviews of individual homeless women, were the major data gathering methods. Observation occurred in a referral center for homeless women, an emergency shelter, a transitional shelter, at meetings of a grass roots group for homeless women and at public gatherings. Sample: 38 women were interviewed individually. Recruitment was at the above locations and by word of mouth. Theoretical sampling guided the choice of topics in each interview. Analysis and Results: The women told of surviving severe hardships including poor connections to health care. Domestic violence and assault by a stranger were frequent; many women carried the mental and physical scars of multiple major trauma. Alcohol and drugs were used to dull the pain. AIDS knowledge was 60% adequate; few were able to act on it. Survival sex was common. A change in the political will is needed to change these conditions.
Learning Objectives: 1) To describe homeless women's views of HIV/AIDS, 2) To discover their perceptions of transmission of the virus and how to prevent transmission, and 3) To place their AIDS knowledge in the context of their overall heath care activities
Keywords: HIV/AIDS, Homeless
Presenting author's disclosure statement:
Organization/institution whose products or services will be discussed: None
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.