@unpublished{pittir11985,
           month = {June},
           title = {'Ethernichel'{--}Swimming Against the Flow:
Understanding the Unique Needs and Concerns of Widowed and Abandoned Women in Chennai, India},
          author = {Sharon/ T. Paul},
            year = {2012},
        keywords = {India, HIV/AIDS, Women, Care \& Support},
             url = {http://d-scholarship-dev.library.pitt.edu/11985/},
        abstract = {Background:The social contexts and roles of women in India, in conjunction with the plight of widows and abandoned women and the stigma and discrimination associated with HIV/AIDS fosters a difficult lived reality for a growing segment of the population. Care and support measures for those infected with HIV are losing priority but are of public health relevance and importance. Therefore, this study aims to understand the perception of quality of life in combination with needs and concerns of HIV positive women in South India. Qualitative research methods were utilized in order to achieve these aims and provide insight to propose recommendations to affect future public health practice.
Methods: Working closely with World Vision India?s GRACE Program, an evaluation was completed, and the results were subsequently analyzed for this study. Focus group discussions, participant and non-participant observations along with reflection journals were conducted, recorded and analyzed for emerging themes. 
Results: The theoretical frameworks utilized resulted in a conceptual model that combines the constructs of two different theories with the unique identity of participants identified as the triple burden. The triple burden consists of being HIV positive, being a woman and being the new head of household. Needs and concerns related to improving quality of life were identified surrounding the particularly the need for housing and financial security, with explicit desire for government housing and specialized livelihood training expressed by participants. 
Conclusion: Care and support is an important component of combating the HIV/AIDS epidemic. Widowed and abandoned women in South India are a forgotten population and it is imperative to improve their quality of life in a multi-pronged manner by tailoring microfinance and livelihood training, endorsing the passage of the HIV/AIDS Bill, and continuing promotion and advocacy of education and awareness around HIV/AIDS and the rights of women and widows.}
}