HIV/AIDS Gender-Specific Risk Assessment Differentials of African American Women: A Comparative Study of Two Unequal US Inner-City Communities

Abstract

Objective: We appraised the differences and similarities in awareness, attitude, beliefs, misconceptions and the various high-risk behaviors that influence the rate of infectiousness of HIV/AIDS among African American (AA) women in two unequal US inner-city communities of Baltimore, Maryland and Dover, Delaware. Methods: A cross-sectional convenience-sample survey of 449 African-American women was conducted in Baltimore, MD and Dover, DE between 2009 and 2011. With the main outcome dependent variables of knowledge, attitude, feelings, behavior/practices and potentials for behavior change among the subjects, we administered a 50-item ethnically-sensitive &, gender-specific instrument (AKFBQ) to subjects via person-to-person interview method. The instrument was initially developed by Dancy (1992) and modified by authors to meet the current study criteria. Results: Of the 449 respondents, (Baltimore=53%; Dover=47%), none in the two communities indicated homosexual or bisexual tendency. Number of respondent’s sex partners in the previous 12 months were: 1-2 (53%); 3-4 (25.7%); 5 and higher (20.5%). Statistically significant differences were observed between the two populations on HIV/AIDS knowledge (p< 0.001), HIV/STIs testing history (p < 0.001), unprotected intercourse with drug users (p< 0.001) , unprotected casual sex (p < 0.001), communication with potential sex partners regarding sexual limits prior to intercourse (p = 0.348), and respondents’ attitudes toward stigmatization of HIV/AIDS patients (p = 0.025). Conclusions: Although the level of knowledge of HIV/AIDS was higher among subjects in smaller inner-city Dover, than those of greater Baltimore metropolis, the overall respondents’ beliefs, attitude/feelings, behavior and potentials for behavioral change did not differ significantly among the women in the two un-identical urban communities. Studies with wider population samples have been advocated. Keywords: HIV/AIDS, US ethnic minorities, African American women, health disparities, high-risk behavioral factors. Read more →