HIV-POSITIVE WOMEN LIVING IN THE METROPOLITAN TORONTO AREA - THEIR EXPERIENCES AND PERCEPTIONS RELATED TO HIV TESTING

Forty HIV-positive women from diverse socioeconomic backgrounds were i nterviewed. Most (90%) did not perceive themselves to be at risk of HI V infection prior to knowing their HIV-positive status. The majority ( 61%) were tested because they developed symptoms, or because someone w ith whom they were intimate, or their child, tested positive for HIV o r became ill. The majority (93%) of the women interviewed indicated ch at they did not receive both pre- and post-test counselling. The findi ngs from this study suggest that encouraging individuals to be tested if they have engaged in ''at risk'' activities will not be appropriate for individuals who have no perception of risk, and other strategies to encourage appropriate testing may be needed This research also sugg ests that continued emphasis needs to be placed on the counselling pro cess, and that consideration may need to be given to multiple counsell ing sessions to ensure individuals clearly understand the information provided.