Applying a Nursing Perspective to Address the Challenges Experienced by Cisgender Women in the HIV Status Neutral Care Continuum: A Review of the Literature

Abstract

The field of HIV research has grown over the past 40 years, but there remains an urgent need to address challenges that cisgender women living in the United States experience in the HIV neutral status care continuum, particularly among women such as Black women, who continue to be disproportionately burdened by HIV due to multiple levels of systemic oppression. We used a social ecological framework to provide a detailed review of the risk factors that drive the women's HIV epidemic. By presenting examples of effective approaches, best clinical practices, and identifying existing research gaps in three major categories (behavioral, biomedical, and structural), we provide an overview of the current state of research on HIV prevention among women. To illustrate a nursing viewpoint and take into account the diverse life experiences of women, we provide guidance to strengthen current HIV prevention programs. Future research should examine combined approaches for HIV prevention, and policies should be tailored to ensure that women receive effective services that are evidence-based and which they perceive as important to their lives.

Using PrEP and Doing it for Ourselves (UPDOs Protective Styles), a Web-Based Salon Intervention to Improve Uptake of Pre-exposure Prophylaxis Among Black Women: Protocol for a Pilot Feasibility Study

“…Detailing the lived experiences of Black women throughout the research process will allow evidence to be disseminated that could empower a community that displays significant health disparities [ 40 ] to have the information needed to make informed decisions for their own health. This level of engagement allows women to be in a position to share with other women and PrEP-eligible individuals in the community, thus potentially having community-wide impact.…”

US Black cisgender women and pre-exposure prophylaxis for human immunodeficiency virus prevention: A scoping review

“…In the United States, Black cisgender women are disproportionately affected by HIV. 8 ., 20 The purpose of this scoping review was to describe the types of research studies that have been done and major findings from those studies, as well as the gaps in knowledge and potential areas of research needed to increase PrEP use and decrease HIV transmission in this vulnerable population. Fifty-nine studies were included in this review.…”

“…other STIs). Criteria were based on the research team’s previous experience and publications on HIV 8 , 20 and a recent scoping review on HIV interventions. 21 …”

“…Furthermore, Black women have the highest rates of sexually transmitted infections (STIs) 7 and experience intersectional stigmas 6 that impede their engagement in the HIV Status Neutral Treatment and Prevention Cycle. 8 …”

“…Black cisgender women’s vulnerability to HIV reflects a complexity of experiences based on intersecting systems of oppression. 8 For example, due to racially discriminatory housing policies, there is a subgroup of Black women who are more likely to live in segregated neighborhoods with fewer health resources, fewer employment and educational opportunities, and higher rates of poverty. All of these factors can affect access to HIV care and prevention while also increasing HIV risk.…”