Attitudes toward antiretroviral therapy among African American women.

OBJECTIVE

To examine attitudes and beliefs of African American women of childbearing age, living with HIV, about pregnancy and antiretroviral therapy.

METHODS

Focus groups were conducted using an exploratory design with a convenience sample of HIV-infected women in 2 southeastern cities.

RESULTS

Thirty-three African American women of childbearing age participated in 5 focus groups. Attitudes and beliefs about antiretroviral therapy were related to the women's willingness to comply with treatment.

CONCLUSION

The challenge for health care providers is to counter women's willingness to "play the odds" of having a noninfected baby without taking antiretrovirals.