Women and AIDS: Coping and Care

by Ann O'Leary, PhD (Editor), Loretta Sweet Jemmott (Editor)

Overview

Although women were understudied in the early years of the epidemic, research and practice devoted to understanding and ameliorating the effects of the AIDS epidemic have begun in recent years. Women and AIDS is the first comprehensive exploration of the medical and psychosocial concerns and issues surrounding women living with HIV/AIDS. Contributors address the biomedical aspects of the disease, stress and coping factors, reproductive and childcare issues, access to care, needs of special populations such as drug-using women and adolescents, and policy recommendations. Researchers and students in psychology, public health, medicine, nursing, sociology, women's studies, and social work will appreciate this reference.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780306471407
Publisher:	Springer-Verlag New York, LLC
Publication date:	04/11/2006
Series:	Aids Prevention and Mental Health
Sold by:	Barnes & Noble
Format:	eBook
Pages:	248
File size:	1 MB

Table of Contents

Epidemiology, Manifestations, and Treatment of HIV Infection in Women.- Psychosocial Stress and Adaptation Processes for Women Coping with HIV/AIDS.- Intervening with Adolescent Girls Living with HIV.- Drug-Using Women and HIV.- “Selective Kin”.- Clinical and Psychosocial Issues of Women with HIV/AIDS.- Women’s Reproductive Decisions in the Context of HIV Infection.- The Design, Participants, and Selected Early Findings of the HIV Epidemiology Research (HER) Study.- For Whose Benefit? Women and AIDS Public Policy.

Editorial Reviews

Reviewer: Sara J. Knight, PhD (Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine)
Description: This edited book, part of a series on AIDS Prevention and Mental Health, covers research, public policy, and services concerning women and AIDS. Its chapters discuss a broad range of topics, including epidemiology, disease course, psychological adaptation, special populations such as adolescents and drug users, families, access to care, and prevention. Several chapters address controversial issues such as rational suicide and reproductive decisions in the context of HIV.
Purpose: The editors' aim is to bring together research findings, policy issues, and observations of medical and psychiatric services relevant to women with HIV or AIDS. The authors are highly credible experts in their areas. This is an important effort, because this area has received little attention in the past. The book largely meets these objectives.
Audience: The authors and editors attempt to reach a broad audience, including researchers, policymakers, and clinicians. The book will make important reading for all these groups. Nonetheless, I found the chapters geared more to the researcher and policymaker than to the practitioner.
Features: Several chapter authors used figures and tables sparingly. The book appeared underillustrated. Because the text aimed to integrate research, summary tables of the literature or critical concepts would have enhanced the text. The references were current and pertinent. The table of contents and index are clear and well organized.
Assessment: This book represents an excellent scholarly consideration of medical and psychological issues for women with HIV and AIDS. Its chapters provide thorough discussions of the literature. The book would make a valuable addition to a university, medical school, or agency library. Although it focuses on research more than clinical services, clinicians, researchers, and policymakers will find that this book is a highly informative reference.

Doody's Review Service