Intersecting motivations for leaving abusive relationships, substance abuse, and transactional sex among HIV high-risk women.

• Type of Material: Article
• Authors: Naomi S. David, Emory University; Sophia Hussen, Emory University; Dawn Comeau, Emory University; Ameeta Kalokhe, Emory University
• Language: English
• Date: 2016-12-15
• Publisher: Georgia Public Health Association
• Publication Version: Final Published Version
• Copyright Statement: © Naomi S. David, Sophia A. Hussen, Dawn L. Comeau, and Ameeta S. Kalokhe
• License: Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International
• Final Published Version (URL): http://dx.doi.org/10.21633/jgpha.6.2s18
• Title of Journal or Parent Work: Journal of the Georgia Public Health Association
• ISSN: 2471-9773
• Volume: 6
• Issue: 2 Suppl
• Start Page: 303
• End Page: 313
• Grant/Funding Information: This work was supported by Emory Center For AIDS Research (P30 AI050409).
• Keywords: intimate partner violence; transactional sex; HIV risk; HIV prevention; drug use
• Research Categories: Health Sciences, Public Health

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Women bear a significant burden of the HIV epidemic in the United States. Women classified as 'HIV high-risk' often bring co-existing histories of intimate partner violence (IPV), drug use, and transactional sex. To help inform future comprehensive HIV prevention strategies, we aimed to explore common motivating reasons and barriers to leaving and/or terminating engagement in each of these risk-promoting situations. METHODS: Between August and November 2014, in-depth interviews were conducted with 14 HIV high-risk women in Atlanta, Georgia who had experienced IPV in the previous 12 months, and used drugs and/or engaged in transactional sex in the previous five years. Participants were asked about histories of IPV, drug use, and/or engagement in transactional sex, and the motivating reasons and barriers to terminating each. RESULTS: Women reported a range of motivating reasons for leaving IPV, drug use, and transactional sex. Overlapping themes included impact on children, personal physical health/safety, and life dissatisfaction. Financial need was identified as a common barrier to leaving. CONCLUSIONS: Future HIV prevention research should further explore the perceived impact of IPV, drug use, and transactional sex on physical health/safety, life dissatisfaction, one's children, and financial need as motivators and barriers to reducing upstream HIV risk.