Barriers to Care and Unmet Needs for HIV-Positive Women Caring for Children

ABSTRACT

Grounded theory was used to explore barriers to care and unmet needs for HIV-positive women caring for children under 18 years of age. The main study group consisted of 40 HIV-positive women caring for children. There were 21 Latinas, 11 Euro-Americans, 6 African Americans, and 2 participants from other ethnic groups. In addition, 5 providers of HIV services were interviewed to ensure trustworthiness of the data. The main findings identify and discuss needs for: (1) mental health and addiction services, (2) a better understanding of professional and paraprofessional roles, (3) improved privacy and confidentiality, (4) improved cultural sensitivity, and (5) other support service gaps are outlined and discussed in this study.

Key Words:

• HIV
• AIDS
• mothers
• barriers
• needs
• children
• case management
• mental health
• addiction