Impact of Poverty, Homelessness, and Drugs on Hispanic Women at Risk for HIV Infection

Abstract

The incidence of AIDS among Hispanic women has been increasing more rapidly than among non-Hispanic women. Yet little is known about the crisesHispanic women at risk may experience and the ways they deal with their most immediate concerns. The purpose of this study was to assess the concerns and stresses experienced by Hispanic women, the coping responses commonly used, perceivedfeelings of self-esteem, locus of control, and emotional distress experienced, Focus group interviews were conducted by Hispanic and black nurses with 43 Hispanic women who were homeless, intravenous drug users (JYDUs), sexual partners of IVDUs, women diagnosed with sexually transmitted diseases, or prostitutes. Content analysis revealed that the overwhelmingfocus that directed the lives of the women was overcoming threats to the provider role. The predominant situationalfactors werefound to bepotential loss of health, drug addiction, lack of social support, lack of information about the potential threat of AIDS, and a life of poverty. Personalfactors such as low self-esteem, helplessness, and loss of control, and emotionfocused coping responses such as drug use and daydreaming were additional threats. The adaptive outcome for these women was to achieve adequacy as a provider in optimizing the health and well-being of their children.