<p> HIV infections rates for African American females in the United States remain disproportionately high with no significant evidence that the current trend will change in the near future. For 17 consecutive years, HIV related illnesses continues to be the leading cause of death for African American females ages 25-34, creating additional social and economic burdens for families and communities who have been devastated by this epidemic. This qualitative phenomenological heuristic study was conducted using focus group interviews, journal entries, and letters to explore the lived experiences of nine courageous HIV/ positive African American females, ages 39 to 78, living in the Metropolitan area of Orlando, FL. Additionally, over 2 years of the researcher’s journal entries were added to the richness of the collected data. Findings included four core themes that emerged from the data analysis: (a) lack of knowledge about HIV/AIDS and related issues; (b) low self-worth, poor self-acceptance, and lack of responsibility for self; (c) personal, familial, and social conflicts; and (d) stigma, fear, shame, and guilt that contributed to the HIV seroconversion in nine African American females. The following three themes may be used potentially to develop prevention programs for generalized populations throughout the United States: (e) spiritual and faith based initiatives of shared core beliefs; (f) empowerment and advocacy groups based on attributes of women as healers; and (g) peer campaigns strategies.</p>
| Identifer | oai:union.ndltd.org:PROQUEST/oai:pqdtoai.proquest.com:3583282 |
| Date | 12 August 2014 |
| Creators | Crosby, Ada E. |
| Publisher | University of Phoenix |
| Source Sets | ProQuest.com |
| Language | English |
| Detected Language | English |
| Type | thesis |
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