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The 130th Annual Meeting of APHA |
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The 130th Annual Meeting of APHA |
Emma J. Brown, PhD, RN, CS, School of Nursing, University of Central Florida, P. O. Box 162210, HPA 219, Orlando, FL 32816, 352-264-1883, ejbrown@mail.ucf.edu and Teresa H. Trujillo, MA, Satellite Research Office, University of Central Florida, 901 NW 8th Avenue, Suite A-4, Gainesville, FL 32601.
Rates of HIV infection continue to rise among southeastern black women, the fastest growing HIV at-risk group, although few studies address this trend. Systematic studies of contextual issues such as perceived HIV risk reduction behaviors must precede effective intervention studies. Findings of this study revealed women used what they perceived as risk reduction strategies, which contradicts the fatalistic phenomena attributed to many black women. Perceived strategies, traditional and non-traditional, used by southeastern black women to reduce their risk of HIV infection are discussed. Twenty-six black women recruited from two rural counties took part in face-to face audio-taped interviews conducted by the second author, which centered on structural, interpersonal and intra-personal factors that influence HIV sexual risk reduction behavior. Interviews were transcribed verbatim, then coded and analyzed using content analysis methods developed by Glaser and Strauss(1967). Concepts that characterize perceived HIV risk reduction strategies were identified as traditional or non-traditional. Traditional strategies included seeking HIV testing, limiting partners, asking partners to get tested, abstinence, no sex without condoms, cessation of drug use, and knowing the partner before sex. Non-traditional strategies included getting involved slowly, having sex with married men, trust, inspecting partner's penis in the light, praying, and sex with "ugly" men only. Rural black women engage in HIV risk reduction strategies, although some strategies are ineffective from a scientific viewpoint. This contradicts the notion that black women possess a fatalistic attitude as previously documented in health research literature.
Learning Objectives:
Presenting author's disclosure statement:
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.