Family, cultural and gender role aspects in the context of HIV risk among African American women of unidentified HIV status: An exploratory qualitative study

• Published in: AIDS care 2007-03, Vol.19 (3), p.307-317
• Main Authors: Jarama, S. L., Belgrave, F. Z., Bradford, J., Young, M., Honnold, J. A.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Adolescent; Adult; African Americans; African Americans - psychology; AIDS/HIV; Biological and medical sciences; Black people; Cultural studies; Culture; Family - psychology; Family roles; Family studies; Female; Gender Identity; Gender roles; Health; Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; HIV; HIV Infections - epidemiology; HIV Infections - prevention & control; Human immunodeficiency virus; Human viral diseases; Humans; Infectious diseases; Medical sciences; Middle Aged; Prevention; Psychology. Psychoanalysis. Psychiatry; Psychopathology. Psychiatry; Qualitative analysis; Qualitative research; Religion and Sex; Risk; Risk behaviour; Risk Factors; Rural Health - statistics & numerical data; Sex role orientation; Sexual behavior; Sexual Behavior - psychology; Sexual behaviour; Social psychiatry. Ethnopsychiatry; Sociocultural environment; Socioeconomic Factors; Suburban Health - statistics & numerical data; Viral diseases; Viral diseases of the lymphoid tissue and the blood. Aids; Virginia - epidemiology; Women; Women's studies
• ISSN: 0954-0121; 1360-0451
• DOI: 10.1080/09540120600790285

This was an exploratory, qualitative study of contextual cultural and social realities of the sexual interactions of a representative sample of African American women of unidentified HIV status. The study expanded our understanding of family and gender role variables by exploring influences of family of origin and idealistic perceptions of roles on sexual relationships. Data was collected on 51 African American women who were recruited through probability sampling. Between 39% and 70% of study participants reported at least one of the following HIV risk factors: low condom use, substance use during sex, partner's incarceration and history of abuse. Nonetheless, all women in our study perceived their chances of HIV infection to be almost non-existent, despite a fairly good knowledge of HIV/AIDS modes of transmission including that anyone could become HIV infected, knowing somebody with HIV/AIDS and acknowledgment, among some, of their partner's infidelity and risk behaviors. Our analysis revealed that parental communications about sexuality in relationships focused largely on trust (being mistrustful of men) and women's control of their sexual impulses. Trust was also emphasized (desired) by women in the discussions of gender roles. Women reported a strong reliance on God and made frequent references to the role of the church in HIV prevention. Our findings offer suggestions for HIV prevention for the general population of African American women. HIV-prevention messages that consider their views of relationships, gender roles, sexual abuse history and the role of the church are suggested.