The 131st Annual Meeting (November 15-19, 2003) of APHA

Abstract #71443

Lorece V. Edwards, MHS, DrPH (c), Morgan State University Public Health Department, 61 Tallow Court, Baltimore, MD 21244, 410-207-0629, LoreceEDwards@aol.com and Pat Paluzzi, CNM, DrPH, Public Health, Baltimore City Health Department and Morgan State University, 2100 Erdman Ave., Baltimore, MD 21218.

Objective: HIV/AIDS is increasing faster in women than any other segment of the population (Russell et al., 1997). Researchers’ have revealed that the typical woman with HIV/AIDS is young, poor, a minority, and of childbearing age. HIV/AIDS has reached epidemic proportions among women of color. Highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) has been a major breakthrough for the treatment of patients with HIV/AIDS. Despite the cautious optimism associated with HARRT, medications have a darker side (Roberts, 2000). According to Bartlett (2002) adherence levels of ³ 95% are required to maintain maximal virologic suppression. Research has shown that social support is influential in maintaining health and preventing disease. Social support has been correlated with increased longevity in both the general the population and individuals with disease and disability (Berkman and Syme, 1979). Additionally, writing has about stressful event has been shown to improve health outcomes (Mann, 2000). According to Pennebaker (1986) in numerous studies, healthy participants’ who wrote about their thoughts and feelings regarding stressful/emotional issues had reduced visits to physicians, improved immune function, and fewer self-reported physical symptoms. Methods: Mixed-methods (quantitative & qualitative analysis) will be used to explore the relationship between medication adherence and perceived social support among HIV positive African American women. The framework within which the study is being conducted is the Health Belief Model. Data will be collected from an urban teaching hospital in Baltimore, Maryland. Results: Results from journaling, semi-structured interviews, univariate descriptive statistics, Fisher’s exact test, and multiple logistic analysis will be presented.

Learning Objectives:

At the conclusion of the poster session, participants' will be able to: 1)recognize social support systems that facilitate/hinder medication adherence;
• identify multiple sources of influence that women tend to use in structuring their adherence practices; 3)identify the rationales that support full, as well as selective adherence.

Keywords: African American, Women and HIV/AIDS

Awards: Excellence in Abstract Submission among New Investigators--Award Winner - Honorable Mention

Presenting author's disclosure statement:
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.