Prevention program that promotes attitudinal and behavioral change has been recommended as an effective measure for community prevention and control of HIV- related infections. Within the past decade, disease control program among African-Americans had seen no significant change as HIV/AIDS now become the leading causes of death and disability in this population. This is more-so of the African-American females who although represent 13.9 % of the US female population, not only account for over 60 percent of all AIDS cases among females but also triple the HIV/AIDS incidence and prevalence rates of Caucasian and Hispanic female populations, respectively. The epidemic nature of the disease among this ethnic group poses the question of African-American women's rights and underscores their physical/emotional and sociocultural vulnerability to HIV/AIDS. This study which utilized an AKFBQ-survey approach was designed to assess the various HIV high-risk behavioral factors that can impact the high HIV/AIDS incidence among the 600 African-American women, drawn randomly from specific urban and rural communities in United States. Analysis showed no differences in factors favoring rate of spread of HIV/AIDS among the women in both the urban and rural communities. Furthermore, knowledge base regarding the consequences of casual sexual contacts, behavior in relation to condom-use/non-use during sexual activity, empowerment process regarding African-American females sexual responses, assertiveness, and decision making, and their beliefs, feelings/attitude toward African-American males (heterosexual or bisexual), did not differ significantly among women in the two communities. The paper advocates an ethnoculturally-sensitive and gender specific HIV/AIDS prevention program for African-American women.
Learning Objectives: At the conclusion of this session, the participants will be able to: 1. Identify the major factors favoring the continuous rise in the level of HIV/AIDS among African-American women, 2. Discuss major comparisons in HIV/AIDS incidence, prevalence, mortality and morbidity rates between urban/rural African-American women, and women of other ethnic groups, 3. Discuss specific strategies for the prevention and control of HIV/AIDS and related problems among African-American women.
Keywords: Ethnic Minorities, Community-Based Health Promotion
Presenting author's disclosure statement:
Organization/institution whose products or services will be discussed: None
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.