 |
  
|
  |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Trauma, Mental Health and HIVBy Candace Y.A. Montague June 5, 2012
One issue that this Examiner keeps on her radar is the strong connection between domestic violence and HIV infection. A study was published in March that revealed some stunning results about trauma, Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and HIV. The University of California-San Francisco's Women's HIV Program found that trauma led to women putting themselves at risk for HIV infection. Furthermore, another study showed that PTSD and abuse were a main factor in treatment adherence failure. Lead researcher Edward Machtinger analyzed the results of 29 previous studies that included data from 5,930 HIV-positive women. In his research, he found that HIV positive women are two to six times more likely to have experienced trauma or abuse. Also, more than 60 percent have been sexually abused. An additional study showed that patients in the Women's HIV Program that were recently traumatized women were four times more likely to have detectable levels of the virus in their blood signaling that they are not adhering to the drug regimen. Among American women with HIV/AIDS, 30 percent suffer PTSD (five times national rate). They also suffer intimate partner violence more than twice the national rate. These studies say two things. First, mental health services goes hand in hand with HIV treatment. Stigma aside, managing an infectious disease along with the rest of life's responsibilities can be a tremendous burden. These victims are struggling to handle their health, possibly children, and the affects of living in an unstable and dangerous environment. How does a woman who relies on an abusive partner for housing and money approach the subject of sexual history or prophylaxis use? There is no prescription for negotiation. Specialists must remember to treat the whole patient even after she has abandoned her dangerous situation. Side note: Avoid telling her to "get over it." No statement could be more worthless. Second, there needs to be more advocacy to reach out to abusers. (Yes I realize this is an enormous task.) It's fitting to empower a woman to stand up to abuse and leave a dangerous man alone. However, what happens when the abuser moves on to harm and intimidate someone else? The dreaded cycle repeats and the virus continues to spread. The abuser also needs mental health services. Where are the services and programs that tell the abuser that they don't have authority to put their hands on a woman no matter what? Eventually the abuser must adapt some anger management techniques and learn that hitting, raping, and mentally abusing a woman is just wrong. He or she has to learn to communicate their emotions differently. One such local advocate who works on abusers as well as victims is Queen Afi Gaston, Founder of Domestic Violence Wears Many Tags (DVWMT). Her domestic violence prevention program reaches out to all individuals and groups about the different faces of abuse and how to leave a situation. And yes she works with the abuser as well. Click here to visit her website or call (202)821-8933. Recommended reading: Beyond "Getting Over It": Why Trauma and Gender Violence Matter in HIV/AIDS Get email notifications every time this blog is updated.
Add Your Comment:
(Please note: Your name and comment will be public, and may even show up in
Internet search results. Be careful when providing personal information! Before adding your comment, please read TheBody.com's Comment Policy.) |
BLOG:
D.C. HIV/AIDS Examiner  Candace Y.A. Montague Candace Y.A. Montague has been learning about HIV since 1988 (and she has the certificates from the American Red Cross to prove it). Health is a high priority to Candace because she believes that nothing can come of your life if you're not healthy enough to enjoy it. One of her two master's degrees is in Community Health Promotion and Education. Candace was inspired to act against HIV after seeing a documentary in 2008 about African-American women and HIV. She knew that writing was the best way for her to make a difference and help inform others. Candace is a native Washingtonian and covers HIV news all around D.C. She has covered fundraisers, motorcycle rides, town hall meetings, house balls, Capitol Hill press conferences, election campaigns and protests for The DC Examiner.com and emPower News Magazine. Subscribe to Candace's Blog:
Recent Posts:
March 25, 2013 - Candace's AIDS News Update: A Blog Entry by Candace Y.A. Montague
March 11, 2013 - Three Condoms Rule No More: A Blog Entry by Candace Y.A. Montague March 5, 2013 - HIV Prevention Strategies for Women Proven Ineffective: A Blog Entry by Candace Y.A. Montague February 8, 2013 - Black HIV/AIDS Awareness: Eight Points to Keep in Mind December 29, 2012 - Babies Mamas Show Not Rooted Enough in Reality A Brief Disclaimer: The opinions expressed by TheBody.com's bloggers are entirely their own, and do not necessarily reflect the views of TheBody.com itself. |
|
||||||||||||||||||||||
|
The Body: About The Body | Contact The Body | Content Policy | Content Providers | Advertise With Us | Site Map The Body is a service of Remedy Health Media, LLC, 250 West 57th Street, New York, NY 10107. The Body and its logos are trademarks of Remedy Health Media, LLC, and its subsidiaries, which owns the copyright of The Body's homepage, topic pages, page designs and HTML code. General Disclaimer: The Body is designed for educational purposes only and is not engaged in rendering medical advice or professional services. The information provided through The Body should not be used for diagnosing or treating a health problem or a disease. It is not a substitute for professional care. If you have or suspect you may have a health problem, consult your health care provider.
| ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Email
Comments
Print-Friendly
Glossary
Subscribe
