TESTING AND TREATMENT BEHAVIOR OF HIV-INFECTED WOMEN - WHITE, AFRICAN-AMERICAN, PUERTO-RICAN COMPARISONS

Findings from a study of the testing and treatment behaviour and exper iences of African-American (n = 31), Puerto Rican (n = 30) and non-His panic white (n = 23) HIV-infected women are reported. All women were 2 0-45 years of age and had not yet been diagnosed with AIDS. Data for t he analyses presented were gathered through an interviewer-administere d questionnaire completed before respondents participated in an unstru ctured interview. The analyses examine race/ethnic differences in wome n's delays in seeking testing and medical care, and in sources and typ es of HN-treatment. Most significant for primary and secondary prevent ion efforts, the findings suggest that a significant proportion of wom en who suspect they are infected may delay being tested, and further, a substantial proportion who learn they are seropositive may delay see king medical care. Thus important opportunities among HIV-infected wom en for secondary prevention through timely antiviral and prophylactic treatment, and for primary prevention through risk-reduction counselli ng may be being missed in many cases.