FACTORS ASSOCIATED WITH HIV-INFECTED WOMENS DELAY IN SEEKING MEDICAL-CARE

Data from an investigation of HIV-infected African-American, Puerto Ri can and non-Hispanic white women's treatment behaviour and decision-ma king are presented. Findings are based on a thematic analysis of the n arrative accounts of 31 women who exhibited significant delay in seein g a physician about their HIV infection after testing positive for HIV antibodies. Analysis of the women's qualitative interview data indica ted that a variety of barriers impeded them from actively pursuing tre atment. The women's psychological responses to learning their serostat us were the most pervasive factors associated with delaying seeking ca re. Implications of the analysis for informing the design of secondary prevention efforts to move women into treatment earlier are discussed , such as the need to develop interventions or supportive services des igned to assist women in coming to terms with their infected status.