AEGiS-15IAC: The social networks of Puerto Rican: The need to integrate network members in interventions for positives.

15th International AIDS Conference

Bangkok, Thailand - July 11-16, 2004

The social networks of Puerto Rican: The need to integrate network members in interventions for positives.

Int Conf AIDS 2004 Jul 11-16; 15:(abstract no. TuOrD1117)

Oritz-Torres B, Noboa-Ortega P
Universidad de Puerto Rico, San Juan, Puerto Rico

ISSUES: Social networks have been identified as an important source of support for HIV+ women. After more of two decades of the AIDS epidemics, interventions for this group do not incorporate in a consistent fashion members of these networks such as family members and health providers. In an exploratory study we had found that Puerto Rican HIV+ women stress the importance of their networks.

DESCRIPTION: In depth- qualitative interview were conducted with HIV+ women who, after being interviewed, nominated family members and health providers who were also interviewed. Transcribed interviews were coded and analyzed using a computer program.

LESSONS LEARNED: The dynamics of interactions of HIV+ women with members of their networks are crucial to understand present mental health issues, their adherence to treatment, sexual practices and adaptation to their serostatus. These women's stories are complemented by those of their networks members, providing a more precise understanding of their social contexts, barriers and facilitators to treatment and risk reduction. Reports of partners differ from those of mothers and children. Among those women who became HIV+ by IDU, it was frequent to find reports of initiating drug use after their partner's insistence or as a sign of commitment to the relationship. Health providers occupy a central role in those networks when they are able to interact in a sensitive and caring fashion with participants.

RECOMMENDATIONS: Interventions designed for HIV+ women should take into account the important role of their social networks and incorporate members of these networks into intervention efforts. Health providers should participate in these efforts since they could have a positive, supportive role in these women's lives, promoting healthier behaviors, including safer sex practices. Transformations of networks member's belief is needed in order to improve HIV+ women's quality of live.

Keywords: AEGIS, Social Support, Hispanic Americans, Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome, HIV Seropositivity, Safe Sex, Interpersonal Relations, Culture, Social Environment, Behavior, Substance-Related Disorders, Humans, Female, Child

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