Enduring stigma and precarity: A review of qualitative research examining the experiences of women living with HIV in high income countries over two decades. Issue 1 (4th March 2022)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Herron, Lisa-Maree; Mutch, Allyson; Lui, Chi-Wai; Kruizinga, Lara; Howard, Chris; Fitzgerald, Lisa
• Is Part Of: Health care for women international. Volume 43:Issue 1/3(2022)
• Page Start: 313
• Page End: 344
• Publication Date: 2022-03-04
• Subjects: Women -- Health and hygiene -- Periodicals; Women's health services -- Periodicals; Genital Diseases, Female; Neonatology; Obstetrics; Women -- psychology; Femmes -- Santé et hygiène -- Périodiques; Femmes -- Santé, Services de -- Périodiques; 613.0424405
• DOI: 10.1080/07399332.2021.1959589
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0739-9332

Abstract

ABSTRACT: The lived experience of HIV for women remains poorly understood. In particular, there has been little attention to the consequences for women living with HIV (WLHIV) of changing social, epidemiological, biomedical and policy contexts, or to the implications of long-term treatment and aging for the current generation of HIV-positive women. We reviewed qualitative research with WLHIV in selected high-income countries (Australia, Canada, New Zealand, the UK and the USA) to identify the most prevalent experiences of HIV for women and trends over time. Our synthesis highlights the relative consistency of experiences of a diverse sample of WLHIV, particularly the enduring prevalence of gendered HIV-related stigma, sociostructural barriers to healthcare and support, and negative encounters with health professionals. We also identified gaps in knowledge. Understanding women's experiences, particularly their changing needs and strategies for coping as they live long-term with HIV, is key to effective support and services for WLHIV.