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- Title
Substance Abuse, Violence, and HIV in Women: A Literature Review of the Syndemic.
- Authors
Meyer, Jaimie P.; Springer, Sandra A.; Altice, Frederick L.
- Abstract
Women in the United States are increasingly affected by HIV/AIDS. The SAVA syndemic-synergistic epidemics of substance abuse, violence, and HIV/AIDS-is highly prevalent among impoverished urban women and potentially associated with poor HIV outcomes. A review of the existing literature found 45 articles that examine SAVA's impact on (1) HIV-associated risk-taking behaviors, (2) mental health, (3) healthcare utilization and medication adherence, and (4) the bidirectional relationship between violence and HIV status. Overall, results confirm the profound impact of violence and victimization and how it is intertwined with poor decision making, increased risk taking and negative health consequences, particularly in the context of substance abuse. Among current findings, there remain diverse and inconsistent definitions for substance abuse, violence, mental illness, adherence, and healthcare utilization that confound interpretation of data. Future studies require standardization and operationalization of definitions for these terms. Development and adaptation of evidence-based interventions that incorporate prevention of violence and management of victimization to target this vulnerable group of women and thereby promote better health outcomes are urgently needed.
- Subjects
DECISION making; DRUGS; HIV infections; MEDICAL care use; MENTAL illness; PATIENT compliance; POVERTY; RISK-taking behavior; SUBSTANCE abuse; VICTIMS; VIOLENCE; WOMEN; CITY dwellers; DISEASE prevalence
- Publication
Journal of Women's Health (15409996), 2011, Vol 20, Issue 7, p991
- ISSN
1540-9996
- Publication type
Journal Article
- DOI
10.1089/jwh.2010.2328