Help-Seeking to Cope With Experiences of Violence Among Women Living With HIV in Canada.
Rebecca GormleyValerie NicholsonRebeccah ParryMelanie LeeKath WebsterMargarite SanchezClaudette CardinalJenny LiLu WangRosa BallenyAlexandra de PokomandyMona LoutfyAngela Kaidanull nullPublished in: Violence against women (2021)
Using baseline data from a community-collaborative cohort of women living with HIV in Canada, we assessed the prevalence and correlates of help-seeking among 1,057 women who reported experiencing violence in adulthood (≥16 years). After violence, 447 (42%) sought help, while 610 (58%) did not. Frequently accessed supports included health care providers (n = 313, 70%), family/friends (n = 244, 55%), and non-HIV community organizations (n = 235, 53%). All accessed supports were perceived as helpful. Independent correlates of help-seeking included reporting a previous mental health diagnosis, a history of injection drug use, experiencing childhood violence, and experiencing sexism. We discuss considerations for better supporting women who experience violence.
Keyphrases
- mental health
- polycystic ovary syndrome
- mental illness
- healthcare
- pregnancy outcomes
- cervical cancer screening
- breast cancer risk
- depressive symptoms
- hiv infected
- hepatitis c virus
- risk factors
- pregnant women
- hiv positive
- young adults
- social media
- physical activity
- social support
- adverse drug
- men who have sex with men
- drug induced