Marseille 2007
| Abstract #416 - Are there rural and urban differentials in HIV testing and sexual behavior, HIV knowledge and misperceptions among African American men residing in Southern United States? | ||||
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Session: 6.72: Posters A (Poster) on Monday in Chaired by Authors: Presenting Author: Dr Anthony M. Sallar - Ohio University, United States |
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| Aim: African Americans (AA) have been disproportionately affected by HIV/AIDS. By 2004, about 201,000 AA had died from AIDS since the epidemic began. In 2004 AA accounted for 50% of HIV/AIDS cases although they constitute 12% of the population. This study sought to assess HIV testing and sexual behavior, knowledge, and misperceptions that act as barriers in HIV prevention among AA male population living in Mississippi and whether there exists rural and urban differentials. | ||||
| Method / Issue: A cross sectional survey of 466 AA men aged 18-55 years. Participants were recruited through fraternity organizations, schools and colleges, clubhouses, bars, and barbershops. Persons were eligible for this study if they were non-White or non-Hispanic Black male residents of predominantly African-America neighborhoods, sexually active or have had sexual intercourse in the previous 12 months, and not employed in a health institution or be a member of health profession. A 96-item culturally-sensitive and gender-specific instrument was used to assess the participants in three major areas of knowledge, myths and misconception, attitude/feelings, and sexual behavior. Prior reliability testing for the instrument achieved a Cronbachs Alpha of 0.73 on HIV knowledge, and 0.81 on attitude towards condoms which were high enough to meet our study criteria. | ||||
| Results / Comments: About three out of every four (70%) participants described their sexual orientation as heterosexual, 14.4% bisexual, 16.6% MSM, and 55.4% had an STD/HIV test. Sexual partners reported in the last 12 months were 1-2 (54%); 3-4 (25.7%); 5 and higher (20.2%) and HIV mean score 21.7, sd 8.9. Almost half reported HIV is a disease created by the government to reduce the black population. Statistical significant differences were observed between rural and urban residents on the following variables: ever taken STD/HIV test; HIV knowledge; the belief that US government created HIV to wipe out the AA population; there is a cure for AIDS but being held from the poor; and willingness to take HIV test if recommended without bearing the cost of the test (p < 0.0001). | ||||
| Discussion: The study recommends comprehensive culturally-sensitive AIDS education programs for AA men in urban and rural Mississippi, and HIV testing. Almost three decades into the epidemic there still remains among AA suspicions about the US government. Removal of these misperceptions is paramount in addition to encouraging taking advantage of the availability of rapid testing to determine ones status should form part of the core intervention messages. | ||||
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