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HIV/AIDS Prevention Research Core
The literature suggests that African American women who are fifty
years old and older are affected by HIV in three important ways.
First, these women are at risk of being infected with HIV and diagnosed
with AIDS. Nationally about 10% of AIDS cases are among seniors.
Second, these women are often the caretakers of children with HIV
infection or grandchildren whose parents can no longer care for
them. Lastly, older African American women are often community leaders
and must deal with HIV as it affects their local community.
In Allegheny County, a number of factors slowed the often-called
second wave of the epidemic so that women in our county have not
yet been diagnosed with HIV to the extent that African American
women in other parts of the county have been. However, the risk
of infection is clearly present and effective prevention interventions
need to be supported. It is likely that our population of women
is major caregivers for others infected or affected by HIV. The
literature clearly shows that caregivers often suffer health consequences
such as depression, stress, and physical problems as a result of
the burdens they must bear.
Providers and affected women from the African American community
are meeting to evaluate the problems facing African American women
over fifty and to make recommendations about needed interventions
and research. Their recommendations will be taken to the CRAB and
the HIV working group for further discussion. At the end of the
process, the Core will have a clear direction and will work to implement
the recommendations of the community with continued community involvement.
Literature Review Summary
HIV Infected / HIV Affected
Recommendations
Integrate mental health, substance abuse and medical care, may
improve the adherence and health of HIV+ women, particularly in
multistressed populations with substantial parenting and other life
demands.
Caregiver / Custodian
Recommendations
Support services are needed to address both the psycho-social and
caregiving needs of these individuals (mostly women) -- someone
needs to care for the caregivers - and also their won health needs.
Community Leaders
AA women represent an important intermediate layer of leadership
that is critical to micromobilization for promoting change.
AA churches have a leadership role to politically empower AA. However,
they are sometimes seen as sexist.
Context of equality and empowerment, AA churches create on racial
issues might lead to a similar dynamic on gender issues.
Church attendance is an important correlate of positive health
care practices, especially for most vulnerable sub-groups, the uninsured
and chronically ill.
Selected Bibliography
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Theall, K. P., K. W. Elifson, et al. (2003). "Perceived susceptibility
to HIV among women - Differences according to age." Research
on Aging 25(4): 405-432.
Theall, K. P., C. E. Sterk, et al. (2003). "Factors associated
with positive HIV serostatus among women who use drugs: Continued
evidence for expanding factors of influence." Public Health
Reports 118(5): 415-424.
Poindexter, C. C. and T. S. Lane (2003). "Choices and voices:
Participation of people with HIV on Ryan White Title II Consumer
Advisory Boards." Health & Social Work 28(3): 196-205.
Mellins, C. A., E. Kang, et al. (2003). "Longitudinal study
of mental health and psychosocial predictors of medical treatment
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Lechner, S. C., M. H. Antoni, et al. (2003). "Cognitive-behavioral
interventions improve quality of life in women with AIDS."
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Klein, H., K. W. Elifson, et al. (2003). ""At risk"
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Johnson, W. A. and C. E. Sterk (2003). "Late-onset crack users:
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Somlai AM, Kelly JA, McAuliffe TL, Ksobiech K, Hackl KL. "Predictors
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[No authors listed] Community groups push for a greater role in
stemming epidemic. Barriers, including lack of funding, still exist.
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Poindexter, C. C., T. S. Lane, et al. (2002). "Teaching and
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Mason, S. and N. Linsk (2002). "Relative foster parents of
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Joslin, D. and R. Harrison (2002). "Self-reported physical
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Feaster, D. J. and J. Szapocznik (2002). "Interdependence of
stress processes among African American family members: Influence
of HIV serostatus and a new infant." Psychology & Health
17(3): 339-363.
Tuck, I., N. L. McCain, et al. (2001). "Spirituality and psychosocial
factors in persons living with HIV." Journal of Advanced Nursing
33(6): 776-783.
Tolliver, D. E. (2001). "African American female caregivers
of family members living with HIV/AIDS." Families in Society-the
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Poindexter, C. (2001). ""I'm still blessed": The
assets and needs of HIV-affected caregivers over 50." Families
in Society-the Journal of Contemporary Human Services 82(5): 525-536.
Hinkin, C. H., S. A. Castellon, et al. (2001). "Neuropsychiatric
aspects of HIV infection among older adults." Journal of Clinical
Epidemiology 54: S44-S52.
Hessol, N. A., M. Schneider, et al. (2001). "Retention of women
enrolled in a prospective study of HIV infection: Impact of race,
unstable housing, and use of HIV therapy." American Journal
of Epidemiology 153(11): S192-S192.
Hessol, N. A., M. Schneider, et al. (2001). "Retention of women
enrolled in a prospective study of human immunodeficiency virus
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Heckman, T. G., A. Kochman, et al. (2001). "A pilot coping
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Sterk, C. E., K. W. Elifson, et al. (2000). "Women and drug
treatment experiences: A generational comparison of mothers and
daughters." Journal of Drug Issues 30(4): 839-861.
Linsk, N. L. and C. C. Poindexter (2000). "Older caregivers
for family members with HIV or AIDS: Reasons for caring." Journal
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Klein, K., L. Armistead, et al. (2000). "Socioemotional support
in African American families coping with maternal HIV: An examination
of mothers' and children's psychosocial adjustment." Behavior
Therapy 31(1): 1-26.
Poindexter, C. C. and N. L. Linsk (1999). "HIV-related stigma
in a sample of HIV-affected older female African American caregivers."
Social Work 44(1): 46-61.
Poindexter, C. C., N. L. Linsk, et al. (1999). ""He listens
... and never gossips": Spiritual coping without church support
among older, predominantly African-American caregivers of persons
with HIV." Review of Religious Research 40(3): 230-243.
Poindexter, C. C. and N. L. Linsk (1999). ""I'm just glad
that I'm here": Stories of seven African-American HIV-affected
grandmothers." Journal of Gerontological Social Work 32(1):
63-81.
Dorsey, S., K. Klein, et al. (1999). "Parenting self-efficacy
of HIV-infected mothers: The role of social support." Journal
of Marriage and the Family 61(2): 295-305.
Poindexter, C. C. and N. L. Linsk (1998). "Sources of support
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