Risk behavior, perceptions of HIV risk, and risk-reduction behavior among a small group of rural African American women who use drugs

    Authors

    E. J. Brown;M. Van Hook

    Comments

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    Abbreviated Journal Title

    J. Assoc. Nurses Aids Care

    Keywords

    CRACK COCAINE; INTERVENTION; NEEDS; Nursing

    Abstract

    HIV/AIDS is a health crisis for African Americans. African American women are exposed to HIV primarily through sexual behavior, which is an increased risk for women who use drugs. The study design was a mixed method consisting of an ethnography with ongoing participant observation and indepth interviews and a questionnaire. The purpose of the questionnaire component was to explore drug use, sexual behavior, health history, and perceptions. The questionnaire was administered at months 6 and 18. Data for this report were derived from the first questionnaire with 30 respondents. The majorityof respondents (82.7%) used polysubstances consisting of cocaine, marijuana, and alcohol. Between 33% and 50% exchanged sex for drugs or money, with less than half ever using condoms. About 37% perceived that they had no risk of acquiring HIV, whereas 52% perceived a 25% chance. The pattern of HIV testing in which 33% of the women were tested 10 times or more was unexpected because of the low perception of risk. The principal conclusion was that there is great need to intervene with prevention efforts targeting rural women who use drugs in an attempt to curb increasing rates of sexually transmitted infections including HIV.

    Journal Title

    Janac-Journal of the Association of Nurses in Aids Care

    Volume

    17

    Issue/Number

    5

    Publication Date

    1-1-2006

    Document Type

    Article

    Language

    English

    First Page

    42

    Last Page

    50

    WOS Identifier

    WOS:000241178300007

    ISSN

    1055-3290

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