BARRIERS TO HEALTH-SEEKING BEHAVIORS FOR WOMEN INFECTED WITH HIV

There is a growing need to develop services for women with human immun odeficiency virus (HN) infection, despite the reluctance of many to se ek help Yet, there is limited knowledge of the forces that act as barr iers to health-seeking behaviors among these women. In the analysis oi this focus group study of 46 women with HN, eight distinct categories oi perceived barriers to care were identified These were: Lack of kno wledge on the part of health care providers, fear oi negative treatmen t. insensitivity of health care providers, fear by providers, lack oi patient education. lack of confidentiality. lack of honesty, and blami ng the victim The women's descriptions of their experiences with healt h care providers are presented and discussed in the context of the pot ential impact of such behaviors on women's willingness to accept or co ntinue treatment for HN infection.