"See, I've Been through This before": Parallels between the COVID-19 Pandemic and the AIDS Epidemic for Black Women Living with HIV in the U.S

Background and Purpose: The COVID-19 pandemic revealed the pervasive influence of systemic racism and oppression, particularly affecting Black Americans in the United States. The resulting disparate rates of infection, transmission, and death were especially salient for Black Americans. Black women living with HIV, an already vulnerable group, faced heightened risks and stressors during the early stages of the pandemic. The current study interviewed Black women living with HIV to explore their lived experience of life with this chronic condition. The aim is to gain insights into how the pandemic impacted their experiences, to identify ways to enhance effective treatment interventions.

Methods: Partnering with community-based health centers, criterion sampling was employed to recruit Black women living with HIV. This study was derived from a larger qualitative study (N=15) designed to explore Black women’s lived experiences as it relates to HIV status disclosure. We used a phenomenological approach to explore commonalities among these women’s lived experiences. Data were collected during the global coronavirus pandemic from March to May 2020. The final sample consisted of a subset that discussed the COVID-19 pandemic (n=6). All participants identified as cisgender women between the ages of 32 to 57 years (M = 47.3, SD = 10.01). Semi-structured individual interviews lasted approximately 60 minutes. Thematic analysis was used to identify, analyze, and interpret patterns or themes.

Results: Three prominent themes related to their lived experiences during the coronoavirus pandemic emerged from the analysis. Theme 1 drew parallels between the AIDS epidemic and the COVID-19 pandemic, highlighting shared experiences of discrimination and stigma rooted in the fear of an unknown virus. Participants recounted stigmatizing encounters similar to those faced during the AIDS epidemic, emphasizing misinformation and fear associated with infection. Theme 2 illuminated the loss of social connection, detailing the isolation from loved ones and support systems crucial for managing HIV care. Lastly, Theme 3 explored participant responses to COVID-19 informed by their experiences with the AIDS epidemic, including increased empathy and a desire for understanding and acceptance from the broader population.

Conclusions and Implications: This study underscores the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on Black women living with HIV. This population demands focused attention to understand their unique experiences with a global pandemic and voiced needs. These women’s past traumas and experiences with discrimination, such as stigma and isolation, present distinctions of how their experiences during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic may have differed from other subgroups. These findings contribute valuable insights to inform future treatment approaches and intervention techniques when dealing with vulnerable subpopulations in public health crises.