African-American Women and Human Immunodeficiency Virus Prevention: A Qualitative Approach to Assessing Needs
African-American Women and Human Immunodeficiency Virus Prevention: A Qualitative Approach to Assessing Needs
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Issue Date
2002
Authors
Larsen, Lisa Sonin
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Abstract
This qualitative study investigated the increasing HIV infection rate among African American women. It concerned risk factors and possible future prevention efforts. Previous literature identified risk factors and interventions for African American women throughout the country (e.g., Soho, 1995; Berger & Vizgirda, 1993). This information may not apply to women in Alameda County, where African Americans are predominately affected. Twelve African Americans between the ages of 25 and 55 were recruited. They were HIV prevention service providers and HIV-infected women. Interviews with participants were taped, transcribed, and analyzed using a constant comparative method. Results showed that although HIV information is available in Alameda County, some at-risk women do not find it personally relevant and, therefore, disregard it. Factors that contributed to their HIV risk included cognitive errors based on poor HIV education; lack of self-esteem and self-care; substance abuse; exchange of sex for drugs, money, or survival; social and economic disadvantage; and community stigma about sexual issues. Many risk factors were found in previous literature. Barriers to effective HIV prevention included lack of program funding, providers' unawareness about empirically proven interventions, and lack of systems work ( e.g., couples) in working with African American women. While not proven, these barriers could hamper interventions' effectiveness. Interventions with this population should include widely available and personally relevant HIV education; increase community openness about HIV; educate adolescents about their risk; use peers in community interventions; include male sex partners; and help women overcome lifestyles that include drug abuse and/or exchange of sex for drugs or money. Future research should investigate crack cocaine's role in HIV infection; relationship dynamics between African American men and women;. sexual self-esteem, and the effectiveness of harm reduction and peer advocacy.