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Cultural Narratives of HIV-Positive African American Women Living in Rural and Urban South Carolina: Place Matters
Methods: This qualitative study employed semi-structured individual private interviews with HIV-positive African American women 18 and older (N=25). Interview guides were developed using a chronological and ecological approach based on grounded theory. Comparative narrative analysis of transcribed interviews from rural (N=9) and urban (N=16) women were conducted through a sensitizing framework of hardships while living with HIV.
Results: While hardships experienced by HIV-positive women living in urban and rural areas were similar, findings suggest contextually greater hardships for women living in rural areas. Findings reflected instances of isolation, both from family and society, mental health issues such as depression and lack of privacy and confidentiality within community settings for women living in rural areas.
Conclusion: Narratives provide insight into the lives and experiences of HIV-positive African American women and offer greater context into the layered interactions in their lives. Storytelling using cultural narratives may be effective in HIV social support interventions, especially among women living in rural areas whose access to traditional interventions is limited.
Learning Areas:
Assessment of individual and community needs for health educationDiversity and culture
Learning Objectives:
Describe the experiences of HIV-positive African American women living in rural areas
Keyword(s): African American, HIV/AIDS
Qualified on the content I am responsible for because: I am the principal investigator for the study presented. My research has addressed HIV prevention for multiple vulnerable populations including youth, incarcerated, and women as a research team member on several federally funded grants.
Any relevant financial relationships? No
I agree to comply with the American Public Health Association Conflict of Interest and Commercial Support Guidelines, and to disclose to the participants any off-label or experimental uses of a commercial product or service discussed in my presentation.