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Document 2036
DOCN M94A2036
TI A room with a view: an Italian self-help group for women.
DT 9412
AU Carli L; Cavalli E; Cristina R; Paola M; Sonia S; Austin D; Gruppo C
Network Italiano, Sezione di Screening HIV ULSS 25; Verona.
SO Int Conf AIDS. 1994 Aug 7-12;10(1):396 (abstract no. PD0191). Unique
Identifier : AIDSLINE ICA10/94370539
AB OBJECTIVES: Meeting the needs of women with HIV and other women directly
affected by the AIDS epidemic (widows, spouses and mothers of children
with HIV) through the activation of a support and self-help group.
METHODS: Italy has the highest percentage procapita of women with HIV
registered in industrialised nations and is first in Europe for
pediatric AIDS cases. In 1993, approximately 40% of new Italian AIDS
diagnoses were among women. Many of these are young (25-30 years)
non-drug using sexual partners of PHIV. In Vicenza, a city of 110,000
with over 400 notified AIDS cases and a 75% HIV prevalence rate among
IDUs in contact with drug services, a self-help group was activated to
meet psycho-social needs of PHIV not addressed by hospital services. The
group was comprised of PHIV, partners and family. Presence of active IDU
created difficulties for many non-drug using women with HIV who had
difficulty in elaborating resentment against IDUs who had transmitted
the virus to them. The stereotypes regarding AIDS (a problem regarding
gays, IDUs and prostitutes) made acceptance of the virus especially
difficult for non IDU women with HIV. RESULTS: The peculiarity of many
issues regarding women and HIV and the difficulties in addressing these
in a mixed setting, led the women to organise seperate, more structured
meetings to complement the activities of the open self-help group. Two
female psychologists, one affected by HIV, stimulate discussion and
facilitate referrals to other women specialists. The participants,
convinced of the benefits of these bi-monthly meetings, are working on
creating a book with personal testimonies and professional analyses.
This will represent one of the first tools designed for Italian women
with HIV and their carers. A bi-lingual PHIV has taken a role in
representing the group in conferences abroad. Her linguistic skills are
also being used to link with international networks to give more voice
to the many women with HIV and AIDS in our country. CONCLUSIONS: As more
women become affected by HIV, it will be necessary to develop specific
services for them. Women's groups, born from self-help experience, can
fill a need and provide input on how to improve care and prevention
activities.
DE Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome/EPIDEMIOLOGY/PSYCHOLOGY/
*REHABILITATION Adult Caregivers/PSYCHOLOGY Female Human HIV
Seroprevalence Italy Patient Care Team Prejudice *Self-Help Groups
Sick Role Social Support Women's Health Services MEETING ABSTRACT
SOURCE: National Library of Medicine. NOTICE: This material may be
protected by Copyright Law (Title 17, U.S.Code).