"We Take Care of Our Young, No Matter What," Experiences of Engagement in HIV Care Among Black Mothers Parenting Dependent Children in Southwestern Pennsylvania: A Retrospective Descriptive Qualitative Study

Laurenia C Mangum; Gloria Aidoo-Frimpong; Ivana Alexander; Ashley Waddell; Darren L Whitfield

doi:10.1097/JNC.0000000000000473

"We Take Care of Our Young, No Matter What," Experiences of Engagement in HIV Care Among Black Mothers Parenting Dependent Children in Southwestern Pennsylvania: A Retrospective Descriptive Qualitative Study

J Assoc Nurses AIDS Care. 2024 Apr 4. doi: 10.1097/JNC.0000000000000473. Online ahead of print.

Authors

Laurenia C Mangum¹, Gloria Aidoo-Frimpong, Ivana Alexander, Ashley Waddell, Darren L Whitfield

Affiliation

¹ Laurenia Mangum, PhD, MPH, LMSW, is an Assistant Professor, Jane Addams College of Social Work, University of Illinois, Chicago, Illinois, USA. Gloria Aidoo-Frimpong, PhD, MPH, MA, is a Postdoctoral Fellow, Center for Interdisciplinary Research on AIDS, Yale AIDS Prevention Program, Yale School of Public Health, New Haven, Connecticut, USA. Ivana Alexander, MSW, MEd, LICSW, is a Doctoral Candidate, University of Maryland School of Social Work, Baltimore, Maryland, USA. Ashley Waddell, LCSW, is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker and Executive Director of Wholistic Alignment, LLC, Richmond, Virginia, USA. Darren L. Whitfield, PhD, MSW, is an Associate Professor, University of Maryland School of Social Work, Baltimore, Maryland, USA.

PMID: 38574350
DOI: 10.1097/JNC.0000000000000473

Abstract

This retrospective descriptive study sought to explore the lived experiences of Black mothers with HIV navigating HIV medical care while parenting dependent children. Six themes were generated from the semi-structured interviews conducted with mothers (N = 9) related to motherhood, interactions with health care systems and providers, coping, social support, HIV self-management, and HIV prevention. Findings suggested that supportive interpersonal relationships with HIV health care providers, HIV nondisclosure to family and friends, and social network support, inclusive of health care providers, were protective factors in achieving optimal treatment adherence and viral suppression. Findings may inform interventions for improving social support and reducing stigma in HIV care for Black mothers with HIV who are parenting dependent children.