Perceptions of Safer Sex Negotiation among HIV- and HIV+ Women at Heterosexual Risk: A Focus Group Analysis

Abstract

Heterosexual women are at increasing risk for HIV, but many are unable to engage in effective safer sex negotiation. The current study examined perceptions of safer sex negotiation using a focus group methodology. Participants were twenty high-risk HIV- and HIV+ women. Participants found it difficult to negotiate safer sex with a relationship partner, because of an inability to see partners they love and trust as risky. Also, although participants perceived condom use to be a personal choice, they believed that few use condoms consistently. Moreover, HIV- women held negative attitudes toward condoms that probably decrease use, whereas HIV+ women had concerns regarding disclosure of status. Clearly, women need safer sex negotiation skills to support the personal choice to use condoms.