Falling through the Cracks: Social Service Concerns of Women Infected with HIV

Abstract

To describe the range of social service concerns of women infected with HIV, we recruited 46 women to participate in one of eight focus groups. Transcripts from the focus groups were coded and their content was analyzed. The eight identified issues included the following: negative consequences of applying for a service, eligibility and red tape, fear of using services, concerns when services were used, the limits of some services, problems keeping services and red tape, consequences of not having some services, and other concerns and desires. Social service professionals can improve the willingness of women infected with HIV to seek social services by addressing the sociopsychological and bureaucratic problems the women face.