Examining the Health Care Experiences of Women Living with Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) and Perceived HIV-Related Stigma

INTRODUCTION: The increased incidence of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) in women, particularly marginalized women, prompted research to examine women's health service experiences at a local outpatient clinic. METHODS: A qualitative case study using semistructured interviews examined facilitators and barriers to health care services. Seventeen women living with HIV who accessed care at an outpatient HIV clinic in central west Ontario were interviewed. Thematic analysis was used to code health care experiences perceived as HIV-related stigma. RESULTS: Women perceived HIV-related stigma when health care providers lacked basic HIV knowledge and failed to uphold the ethical principles of patient-provider relationships, resulting in women's disengagement from health care. CONCLUSIONS: We propose a community-based participatory research framework to reform health care educational curriculum toward a culture of health care safety that is inclusive of people living with HIV.