Preventing cardiovascular disease in midlife women with HIV: An examination of facilitators and barriers to heart health behaviors

Midlife women with HIV (WWH) are disproportionately impacted by cardiovascular disease (CVD), yet little is known about perceptions of CVD risk and the factors that influence engagement in heart health behaviors in this population. Few (if any) studies have used a qualitative approach to examine the...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Journal of women & aging 2023-05, Vol.35 (3), p.223-242
Main Authors: Stanton, Amelia M., Goodman, Georgia R., Robbins, Gregory K., Looby, Sara E., Williams, Marcel, Psaros, Christina, Raggio, Greer
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Barriers
Cardiovascular disease
Cardiovascular diseases
Cardiovascular Diseases - prevention & control
Cardiovascular Diseases - psychology
Female
Health Behavior
Heart
heart health
HIV
HIV Infections - complications
HIV Infections - prevention & control
Human immunodeficiency virus
Humans
Lifestyles
Menopause
Mental health
Middle age
midlife
Population studies
Prevention
Risk Factors
Social interactions
Social Support
women
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Summary:Midlife women with HIV (WWH) are disproportionately impacted by cardiovascular disease (CVD), yet little is known about perceptions of CVD risk and the factors that influence engagement in heart health behaviors in this population. Few (if any) studies have used a qualitative approach to examine these perceptions, which has important implications for minimizing the negative impact of HIV-related noncommunicable diseases, the risk for which increases after midlife. Eighteen midlife WWH (aged 40-59) in Boston, MA, completed semistructured interviews to explore perceptions of CVD, HIV, and barriers and facilitators to healthy lifestyle behaviors. Interviews were analyzed via thematic analysis. Participants viewed heart health as important but were unaware of HIV-associated CVD risk. Facilitators included family and generational influences, social support, and access to resources. Physical symptoms, menopause, mental health challenges, and limited financial resources were barriers. Midlife WWH may benefit from tailored CVD prevention interventions that target their unique motivations and barriers to healthy behaviors.
ISSN:0895-2841
1540-7322
1540-7322
DOI:10.1080/08952841.2022.2030203