Open AccessDesired Characteristics of HIV Testing and Counseling among Diverse Survivors of Intimate Partner Violence Receiving Social Services
Author(s) -
Rosa M. GonzalezGuarda,
Jessica R. Williams,
Dalia Lorenzo,
Cherelle Carrington
Publication year - 2021
Publication title -
health and social work
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.521
H-Index - 55
eISSN - 1545-6854
pISSN - 0360-7283
DOI - 10.1093/hsw/hlab003
Subject(s) - domestic violence , focus group , social work , voluntary counseling and testing , psychology , qualitative research , human immunodeficiency virus (hiv) , perspective (graphical) , poison control , clinical psychology , suicide prevention , medicine , social psychology , family medicine , health services , sociology , population , medical emergency , political science , environmental health , social science , health facility , artificial intelligence , anthropology , law , computer science
Despite recent calls to integrate HIV testing into social services addressing intimate partner violence (IPV), few studies have reported on survivors' perspectives regarding the desired characteristics of this integration. The purpose of this study was to describe desired characteristics of HIV and sexually transmitted infection (STI) testing services from a survivor's perspective. A qualitative descriptive approach was taken to describe the perspectives of IPV survivors who may or may not have accessed this service. Four focus groups were conducted with a diverse sample of English and Spanish speakers (N = 25) who sought services through a family justice center and associated shelters. Focus groups were recorded, transcribed, and analyzed using conventional content analysis. Three themes were identified, including (1) peace of mind; (2) interacting stigmas and traumas; and (3) making testing easy, comfortable, and tailored. The findings of this study have the potential to influence survivor-centered practices and policies regarding the integration of culturally informed HIV/STI and IPV services.