HIV risk reduction in rural African American women who use cocaine

    Authors

    E. J. Brown; F. B. Smith;M. A. Hill

    Comments

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    Abbreviated Journal Title

    Women Health

    Keywords

    HIV; risk reduction; African American women; rural; qualitative; UNITED-STATES; PREVENTION; DRUG; INTERVENTIONS; PREGNANCY; DISEASE; SEX; Public, Environmental & Occupational Health; Women's Studies

    Abstract

    Research has demonstrated associations between cocaine use and sexually transmitted infections (STIs), including Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV). More research has been conducted among the sub-population of women, with less focus on rural African American women. Investigation of the social context that influences rural African American women's behavior that places them at risk for STI/HIV has received limited attention. The results of one component of the comprehensive Study presented here focused on perceived STI/HIV risk reduction strategies of U.S. southern rural African American women who used cocaine. This ethnographic study of 30 rural African American women using cocaine was conducted over four years. Respondents described HIV risk reduction strategies and their motives for using them. Condoms were used more with casual partners (80%) than primary partners (16%) and with partners who were less known, less trusted, young, or physically or sexually "dirty." Condoms were also used to prevent pregnancy (60%) more than to prevent STI/HIV (40%). HIV testing patterns varied, as did the motives for seeking,testing. The sexual behavior of the women in this Study exposed them to increased risk of STI/HIV. Although many perceived that they were using sexual risk reduction strategies, these strategies were not scientifically sound risk reduction strategies. Consequently, their exposure to STI/HIV continued as they used ineffective strategies both in assessing partner risk and in implementing risk reduction behaviors.

    Journal Title

    Women & Health

    Volume

    46

    Issue/Number

    2-3

    Publication Date

    1-1-2007

    Document Type

    Article

    Language

    English

    First Page

    77

    Last Page

    97

    WOS Identifier

    WOS:000252113500007

    ISSN

    0363-0242

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