Caregiving Needs of HIV-Positive Minority Women. Abstract, Executive Summary andFinal Report

摘要

Sixty HIV-positive minority women were interviewed at an out-patient HIV/AIDSclinic in a New York inner-city neighborhood. They were in the early asymptomatic stage of the illness, with 62% reporting no needs pertaining to Activities of Daily Living. Their caregiving needs revolved around normal social goals, e.g., sociability and child care. They were young (average age of 35.5), single (76%), and involved with men (74%). Fifty-seven percent of them were sexually active with 47% not practicing safe sex. Heterosexual sex was the prevalent risk factor (63%). Forty-four percent did not adhere to medical regiments and 33% do not keep clinic appointments. Seventy-six percent had children under 16 and 56% had children under 10. Ninety-two percent chose kin as future guardians and 40% already had children under guardianship. Grandmothers were chosen 50% of the time while other relatives were chosen 42% of the time. The women clustered into two groups: those with positive social supports were more likely to adhere to medical regimens, engage in safe sex, less likely to be substance abusers, less likely to have problem children and less likely to have children being raised by others than those with mixed supports.