Abstract
A growing body of literature highlights the association between women who have experienced intimate partner abuse (IPA) and their heightened risk for HIV/AIDS (human immune deficiency syndrome/acquired immune deficiency syndrome) infection. Finding HIV risk reduction strategies that are contextually relevant for this population is an important public policy priority. This qualitative study researched women who have experienced IPA in order to develop a HIV/AIDS risk reduction intervention unique to their circumstances. This pilot study explored the critical components of such an intervention among a racially/ethnically stratified (African–American, Mexican–American and Anglo) sample of women (n = 43) who have experienced IPA. Focus groups were conducted and transcribed, and a content analysis was used to identify major themes. In all five focus groups, participants viewed the research as interesting, good, beneficial, and/or important based on their perceptions of risk for infection. Respondents felt that they knew of ways to protect themselves from infection in non-abusive relationships; however, acknowledged the difficulties of doing so given the context of their abusive relationships. Examining the racial/ethnic differences across focus groups showed that the language used by women is quite variable. The ways in which survivors define rape, sexual abuse, and their own experiences are all unique; however, their actual experiences have many similarities. Discussed at length are the topics participants shared as critical in informing the design of an intervention and the relevance of the findings to social work clinical practice is explained.
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Acknowledgments
This project was supported by P30 NR005051—Center for Health Promotion and Disease Prevention Research in Underserved Populations, National Institute of Nursing Research (NINR), National Institutes of Health (NIH). The content is solely the responsibility of the authors and does not necessarily represent the official views of the NINR or the NIH. A special thanks is extended to the women and the community advisory board who have participated in this study.
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Rountree, M.A., Mulraney, M. HIV/AIDS Risk Reduction Intervention for Women who have Experienced Intimate Partner Violence. Clin Soc Work J 38, 207–216 (2010). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10615-008-0183-z
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10615-008-0183-z