Substance use is highly prevalent among people living with HIV/AIDS, is often comorbid with other mental health problems, related to poor HIV medical outcomes, and, is associated with poor medication and treatment adherence. The current review reports on the recent state of the literature in terms of substance use and its relation to HIV medication and treatment adherence, and offers recommendations for advancing treatment and secondary HIV prevention efforts. Identifying substance users within HIV primary care and developing, evaluating, and refining integrative substance use-mental health-adherence interventions may be clinically important targets for effective disease management and may contribute to secondary HIV prevention efforts.
Due to advances made in HIV treatment, the population of individuals with HIV over the age of 50 is growing. Aging women face many developmental challenges and some of these challenges, including having or maintaining intimate partner relationships, may be particularly pronounced for aging women living with HIV. However, research exploring the psychosocial needs of aging women with HIV is limited. Thus, the aim of this study was to explore factors that impact intimate partner relationships for older women with HIV. Nineteen women (mean age = 56.79, SD = 4.63 years) referred from Boston-area community organizations and hospitals completed in-depth individual interviews. Forty-seven percent of participants identified themselves as Black/ African American, and 37% as White/Caucasian. Average time since diagnosis was 16.32 years (SD = 5.70). Interviews continued until saturation of content was reached. Inclusion criteria included: biologically born female; aged 50 years or older; diagnosis of HIV/AIDS; and English speaking. Qualitative interviews were coded by two raters and content analyses were conducted using NVivo 9 software. The findings are described across the following three main themes: (1) stigma; (2) body image concerns; and (3) the disclosure dilemma. The themes and issues identified by this study may help guide sexual health-related interventions for older HIVinfected women.
Objectives Approximately 32.7% of people living with HIV/AIDS (PLWHA) in the U.S. are now over the age of 50. Women comprise a significant percentage of the U.S. HIV epidemic and the percentage of women diagnosed with HIV continues to grow; however, little is known about women’s experiences living and coping with HIV over time. The goal of this study was to explore experiences of U.S. women over 50 living with HIV to better understand how they make sense of their diagnosis and cope with their illness over time, and during the aging process. Method Nineteen women (mean age = 56.79, SD=4.63) referred from Boston-area organizations and hospitals completed one-time, in-depth individual interviews. 47% of participants identified as Black/African American, and 37% as White. Average time since diagnosis was 16.32 years (SD=5.70). Inclusion criteria included: female sex; aged 50 or older; HIV diagnosis; and English speaking. Transcribed interviews were analyzed using a grounded theory approach and NVivo 9 software. Results Findings are described across the following themes: 1) experiences at diagnosis, 2) uncertainty of disease course, 3) acceptance, 4) living “well” with HIV. Participants appeared to be well-adjusted to their HIV diagnosis and described a progression to acceptance and survivorship; they identified strategies to “live well” in the context of HIV. For some, health-related uncertainty about the future remained. These findings were organized into a model of coping with HIV. Conclusions Themes and issues identified by this study may help guide interventions across the lifespan for women with HIV.
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