Women and HIV/AIDS.

The incidence of AIDS in women over the age of 13 is increasing dramatically in the United States, with 40,702 cases reported by the end of September 1993 (Department of Health and Human Services, 1993). Some data indicate women are becoming infected at an earlier age and have a shorter survival time than men. The authors provide a background to the female epidemic, discuss the unique pathophysiologic progress of HIV disease in women, and present the sociocultural and economic issues that contribute to women's risk. Nurses must become knowledgeable of the issues directly impacting on women in order to provide appropriate education, counseling, care, and leadership to women.