Impact study: Intergenerational vulnerability to HIV among females residing in low income housing

HIV/AIDS continues to be an escalating health problem globally and locally, especially among women. In the United States, African American women are among the leading demographic groups for HIV prevalence. The typical woman with HIV/AIDS is young, in her twenties, economically challenged, and of reproductive age. Despite advances in prevention and treatment of HIV, African American women continue to suffer from this disease at increasingly alarming rates. The Impact Study, a qualitative study that explored intergenerational pathways to HIV risk and vulnerability among females living in low-income housing. The study was guided by the theoretical framework of the Health Belief Model. A purposive sample of 13 mother and daughter dyads were recruited. Semi-structured interviews were conducted using an adopted version of the Parent-Adolescent Communication Scales. Findings indicated that sex and sexual health were unlikely and uncomfortable topics of discussion among mother and daughter dyads. Among the sample, grandmothers were less likely to discuss sex at all. Participants stated that they were not ready to face their fears in discussing sexual health and sexual risk. They felt that they could not effectively teach their daughters what was not taught to them. There was evidence that misconceptions and a lack of evidenced-based information about HIV and STDs permeated throughout the community. Participants communicated that HIV/AIDS is a critical issue in the community, especially among women and girls. Future research must consider the role of families in HIV prevention.