A Mixed Methods Approach to Studying Risk Perceptions Among Latina Patients in the Emergency Department: Gender Roles and HIV Risk Behaviors
Abstract
The intersection of race and gender are critical determinants of healthcare experiences. Women from minority groups face unequal access to healthcare, such as HIV testing; consequently, leading to worse outcomes in several health conditions compared to Non-Hispanic White females, including HIV rates. Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) affects an estimated 1.2 million individuals in the United States, disproportionately affecting ethnic minorities. Latinas are estimated to be four times more likely to be diagnosed with HIV compared to white females. Despite the availability of HIV testing in Emergency Departments across the United States, patients may still underreport their HIV risk and have low HIV risk perception, leading to lower HIV testing utilization. The explanatory sequential mixed methods study aimed to quantitatively and qualitatively assess HIV risk behaviors, gender roles, and HIV risk perception of Latinas currently in relationships and admitted to a level-I Emergency Department in the U.S.-Mexico border region. Results from the qualitative study (N=8) were used to explain findings from the quantitative study (N=80). Findings from this study can potentially assist with clinical recommendations and in the development of culturally sensitive HIV prevention programs, such as brief interventions, for this population.
Subject Area
Social psychology
Recommended Citation
Cardoso Smith, Juliana de Almeida, "A Mixed Methods Approach to Studying Risk Perceptions Among Latina Patients in the Emergency Department: Gender Roles and HIV Risk Behaviors" (2020). ETD Collection for University of Texas, El Paso. AAI27993637.
https://scholarworks.utep.edu/dissertations/AAI27993637