Views of health care providers on low-income populations in West Virginia with sexually transmitted disease

This thesis focuses on health care providers who consistently diagnose sexually transmitted disease (STDs) in low-income populations. Eighteen providers ranging from registered nurses to physicians were interviewed about their experiences dealing with low-income patients, mainly women, who were diagnosed with incurable and curable STDs for the first time. This qualitative analysis which utilized grounded theory methods reveals several interesting findings. First, that providers who consistently work with low-income populations have a high level of empathy. They believe patients undergo a negative change in self-image second to an incurable STD diagnosis. Providers have concerns about a number of issues related to low-income women's access to care and see the need for more sexuality education, more funding for free and reduced cost clinics, and more health insurance. Many providers would also like to see the stigma attached to having an STD eradicated.

Name thesis:degree_name

MA

Level thesis:degree_level

Thesis

Discipline thesis:degree_discipline

Sociology and Anthropology

Year dc:date.available

2005

Author dc:creator

• Cox, Genevieve R.

Contributors dc:contributor

• Melissa Latimer.
• Beverly Smith
• Rachael Woldoff

• Sociology
• Public health

Identifier

https://researchrepository.wvu.edu/etd/837

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:researchrepository.wvu.edu:etd-1840