Exploring Intimate Partner Relationships before and after HIV Diagnosis among Minority Older Women

ABSTRACT

Objectives

Literature shows that sexual activity remains important at older age and is a valued part of life. However, little is known about the intimate partner relationships (IPR) among minority older women living with Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV). The purpose of this study is to explore the effect HIV diagnosis had on the intimate partner relationships (IPR) among minority older women living with HIV (MOWH).

Methods

Qualitative descriptive study. A total of 28 MOWH (Black and Latinas) aged 50 years and older participated in face to face semi-structured in-depth interviews. Interviews were analyzed using content analysis.

Results

Three themes emerged from the analysis: (a)“Intimate partner relationships before HIV diagnosis” that revealed sexual practices increasing the risk for HIV in their intimate relationships; (b)“Facing relationship consequences of HIV disclosure after diagnosis” explored the consequences of HIV disclosure, and how disclosure determined the future of their intimate relationships; and (c) “Intimate partner relationships after HIV diagnosis” described the quality of intimate partner relationships and changes after HIV diagnosis.

Conclusions

Results from this study contribute to understanding and increasing awareness of the effect of HIV on the intimacy of MOWH.

Clinical Implications

Education provided by health care workers and interventions targeting MOWH should address the effect of HIV in IPR, address MOWH’s concerns about it, and help them to improve their overall health.

KEYWORDS:

• HIV
• AIDS
• Black women
• Hispanic women
• intimacy
• older adults
• aging
• qualitative

Acknowledgments

The content is solely the responsibility of the authors and does not necessarily represent the official views of the School of Nursing at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill or the School of Nursing and Health Studies at the University of Miami.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.

Additional information

Funding

This research was supported by the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation [grant number 71968].