AEGiS-BKREV: Working with Women and AIDS: Medical, Social, and Counselling Issues

Working with Women and AIDS: Medical, Social, and Counselling Issues

Tavistock/Routledge, Routledge, Chapman and Hall, Inc., 29 W. 35th St., New York, NY 10001. 153p., bibliog., index. ISBN 0-415-07658-7, 0-415-07659-5pbk. $59.95, $15.95pbk. (Contributors to this volume: Joy Barlow Roulston, Aberlour Child Care Trust in Scotland; Kate Bisset, Edinburgh; Judy Bury, general practice; Ruth Gilfillan, widow and mother; Jennifer Gray, Univ. of Edinburgh; Mary Hepburn, Glasgow Univ.; Netta Maciver, consultant in Madrid; Sheena McLachlan, Edinburgh; Ruth Morgan Thomas, Scottish Prostitutes Education Project; Val Morrison, research psychologist; Edith Springer, social worker in New York; Kate Thomson, Project Manager at Positively Women; Jane Wilson, Muirhouse/Pilton Drug Project in Edinburgh
Edited by Judy Bury, Val Morrison, Sheena McLachlan. 1992.

AIDS as it affects women has only recently had special attention. In the United Kingdom, the Scottish Women and HIV/AIDS Network is the major group that is trying to educate the young women in their teens, since 40% of the AIDS cases among women in the UK are in the 15-29 age group and are the ones most resistant to adopting safe sex guidelines. The book "concentrates on the social and counselling issues which are of great importance to women." As such, it becomes "a valuable account of the practical, policy and personal issues which have confronted women working with women, as the HIV epidemic has spread." The contributions to this book are the result of four conferences held in Scotland between 1988 and 1991. The first part, "Background Issues," covers some medical facts and figures, gives an overview of the social issues, and relates some reflections of women in the United States who are infected with the virus. The second part, "Contraception and Pregnancy," provides counselling information for those who are positive and also pregnant. It discusses the issue of heterosexual transmission and outlines protection against pregnancy, especially those who are HIV positive. The third section covers prostitution and provides a means for developing a service for prostitutes in Glasgow. "Education and Counselling Issues" is the focus of the fourth section. Here, education is the key word. Also, safer sex counselling to women from the drug-using communities is discussed. An important part of this section is a discussion of women as carers for those who are infected. It is pointed out that women have always been carers and it is no different now with those who are infected with the virus. In fact "it will be women who will increasingly carry the weight of caring for those affected by HIV and AIDS."

The last section is simply titled "Feelings and Needs." Counselling and a diagnosis of being positive are discussed at some length as well as what it is like being positive. There is a lot of good advice in this book that is based on actual events. Although women with AIDS are not in large numbers, their needs are special, especially if an unborn child is involved. The education directed at those who are positive and run the risk of getting pregnant is extremely important and needs to be developed in such a way that the women will understand just how important it is. A recommended book for all counselors. (H. Robert Malinowsky)

Keywords: Social Aspects, Women, Women's Health Services, Pregnancy, Prostitution, Education, Counselling

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Copyright © 1993 - The University of Illinois at Chicago. All materials in the journal are subject to copyright by the Board of Trustees of the University of Illinois and may be reprinted or redistributed for the noncommercial purpose of scientific or educational advancement granted by Sections 107 and 108 of the Copyright Revision Act of 1976. For other reprinting, redistribution, or translation, address requests to H. Robert Malinowsky, University of Illinois at Chicago Library, PO Box 8198, Chicago, IL 60680 or electronically to hrm@uic.edu.

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