HIV and Women: Differences Divide

Transcription

1 HIV and Women: Differences Divide By: Melissa Grove MS, LPC Legacy Counseling Center

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4 Services and Agencies Treatment Mindset

5 Agencies

6 Pills/Drugs

7 Lack of diversity

8 How did/does this affect women with HIV?

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10 Stigma associated with HIV HIV and AIDS associated with death/ sickness HIV is associated with behaviors that some people disapprove of (like homosexuality, drug use, sex work or infidelity) HIV is transmitted through sex, which is a taboo subject in some cultures HIV infection is perceived the result of personal irresponsibility or moral fault (such as infidelity) that deserves to be punished Inaccurate information about how HIV is transmitted, creating irrational behavior and misperceptions of personal risk. Loss of income and livelihood Loss of marriage and childbearing options Poor care within the health sector Withdrawal of caregiving in the home Loss of hope and feelings of worthlessness Loss of reputation.

11 How did/does this affect women with HIV?

12 Men vs. Women

13 Does HIV affect women differently than men? For the most part, HIV affects men and women the same. Men: more likely to develop certain AIDSrelated diseases (e.g., Kaposi's sarcoma, a type of skin cancer) t Women: more likely than men to develop certain AIDS-related complications

14 Do women with HIV progress to AIDS and die faster then men with HIV? Yes HIV-positive women seemed to progress faster to AIDS than men not because of biological reasons, but because of social/economic barriers: lack of access to HIV testing, care, and services decreased self-motivation more attention being paid to the healthcare needs of their children than of their own lack of support

15 Health and HIV compared to men More side effects from meds Progress through illnesses more rapidly (or so it seems)

16 Mode of Infection

17 Life Expectancy with HIV Men 57 years Women 62 years Other factors such as drug use, and not taking meds can affect life expectancy.

18 Stats Men Income (in general) $49,398 Women Income(in general) $37,791 Race for Positive Men 39% African American 35% White 22% Hispanic/ Latina Race for Positive Women 62% African American 18% White 16% Hispanic/ Latina

19 Sobering facts Roughly 23% of new infections are in women At the end of 2012, there were women reported living with HIV. 11% were unaware of their status. Only 39% of women living with HIV at the end of 2012 were prescribed antiretroviral therapy. During 2013 about 1,859 women died from HIV or AIDS. HIV remains the leading cause of death among women of reproductive age, yet access to HIV testing and treatment remains low

20 How issues affect Women with HIV vs. Women without HIV

21 Pregnancy Women Physical Problems Anemia Hypertension Infections Gestational Weight Gain Hypermesis Gravidarum Mental Health Conditions Women with HIV Limited Medical Care Restrictions of medicine Breastfeeding Pre chewing food Prenatal transmission Lack of services provided

22 Gynecological issues Women with HIV have more gyn issues out breaks of Herpes menstrual irregularities dysplasia with HPV Pelvic Inflammatory disease Yeast infections

23 Birth control Several anti-hiv drugs can interfere with the way the body processes oral contraceptives containing ethinylestradiol a popular hormonal form of birth control among both HIV-positive and HIV-negative women. If you re taking Aptivus (tipranavir), Norvir (ritonavir), Kaletra (lopinavir/ritonavir), Prezista (darunavir), Viracept (nelfinavir), or Viramune (nevirapine), oral contraceptives may not work as well because these drugs lower ethinyl-estradiol levels. If you re taking Crixivan (indinavir), Sustiva (efavirenz), Reyataz (atazanavir), Lexiva (fosamprenavir) or Rescriptor (delavirdine), you may be getting more ethinyl-estradiol than you need.

24 Domestic Violence Women PTSD Depression Dissociation Physical Evidence Sexual dysfunction Issues with menstrual cycle or fertility Being controlled Fear of eviction or abandonment Women with HIV Threats of disclosing status Refusal to help when victim is ill Being blamed

25 Sex workers More likely to be women then men More likely to be homeless Higher incidence of Substance Abuse issues Sexual abuse survivors Domestic abuse survivors Trauma survivors

26 Sexual Abuse Women Bruising, bleeding, broken or dislocated bones. STI s Self blame/ guilt Changes in trust Anger and blame Women with HIV History of sexual abuse increases chances of future sexual abuse More frequent More severe

27 Trauma Women Feeling alone and vulnerable Intense emotion Flashbacks Hopelessness Women with HIV Poor health outcomes High transmission risk behaviors Increased PTSD Antiretroviral therapy failure

28 Solutions

29 Grace Project Conference

30 What you may not know One in four new cases of HIV are women Fastest growing group is year olds who accounted for 26% of new infections Positive women are 55% more likely to have experienced domestic violence 61% more likely to have been sexually abused Living below the poverty level Out of 16,000 people living with HIV/AIDS in Dallas County, 4,000 of them are women While some women are infected with needles and through activities like prostitution, the majority are infected by a husband or boyfriend

31 Grace Project Program for Women Living with HIV/AIDS The Grace Project was inspired by Grace Hunt, a loving and generous woman who counseled women with HIV/ AIDS. The program seeks to encourage hope and hold families together through a supportive net of services specifically for women, including mental health counseling, substance abuse treatment, social support building, and education.

32 Grace Project National Conference for Women Living with HIV/AIDS This conference is the LARGEST IN THE WORLD! Our 18th year! Women from all over the country (and Canada) A one-of-a-kind weekend geared towards personal growth, empowerment, connection, and inspiration Includes discussion groups, workshops, & presentations Takes place May 5th - 7th, 2017 at the Westin Dallas Park Central and is designed to be fun, yet educational. Free (Travel and Hotel on your own)

33 2016 Grace Project Quotes I appreciate all that you all do and the respect I receive. I really did enjoy the Conference this year. I was my first time attending. I discovered I was HIV in Nov I needed the help and support. I love the grace project conference they allow me to get a chance to talk to newly infected ladies and being able to let them know that we are loved and if I've got resources I can give them information on how to go about getting the help they need.

34 Survey Monkey Grace Project 2016 Results

35 Question 1. Topics I am interested in hearing about at the 2017 Grace Project Mental and dental health HIV criminalization Education about the virus (medication- new HIV drugs- and cure) Ending the stigma PREP and other prevention strategy options Where to get insurance with your status. Aging with HIV Update on Medications that are available at the clinic. Self-esteem/Body image/ Ways to decrease belly fat. How to disclose to your loved ones that you have HIV.

36 Moms who are positive and have kids. Healthy relationships. Dating/ Sex life of individuals with HIV who have partners who are and are not HIV positive. Singleness and HIV. Empowerment/ Stories from victims. Housing How the family members of those with HIV deal or cope with things TWU Workshop. Women of color with HIV and AIDS. Continuing this journey after the diagnosis

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38 Question 3

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42 Question 7

43 Question 8 The thing I wish case managers/ healthcare providers would understand I am not just a stat. Judgement is discrimination We are not uneducated just because we are positive. HIV hits everyone differently. Continue to have good advise and support. My case manager covers everything that I would like to talk about. I am the patient. This is about me and not what you want. The importance of staying updated. Treat us like "normal" patients. We are more than a number. I feel alone. Side effects and stress caused by the medication. The diagnosis is devastating. So much help they can use to give. The daily struggle. How other feel when they open up about they status

44 Question 9 Other things I would like Melissa and the organizers of the conference to know are I appreciate them taking the time to do this, they did a wonderful job, and I enjoyed myself each time I go. PS Tell them I really won that talent show, lol. I Appreciate All An Every Thing Every One Has Done To Make This A Success. I am interested in making a contribution and would like to have my voices and concern heard! I appreciate all that you all do and the respect I receive. I really did enjoy the Conference this year. I was my first time attending. I discovered I was HIV in Nov I needed the help and support. They are doing a great job. Really doing a good job.

45 I really enjoyed everything. Thanks a lot for having me. They are doing a good job keep up the good work. Thank you and I wish I had known sooner about this conference. I'm 28 years strong on this journey and 2016 was my first. I'm very appreciative of this conference. It's a time I can rewind and be among survivors like me. You have a beautiful platform and hope it becomes bigger please take to Atlanta. I m thankful for them. That you guys are awesome. For that weekend they me feel free of all of my issues I feel secure and not alone and loved by everyone.

46 Question 10

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