HIV/AIDS education and prevention among African-Americans: a focus on culture.
African-Americans have emerged as the "second wave" of the AIDS epidemic. Epidemiologic evidence indicates that African-Americans adults as well as adolescents have a disproportionately higher risk of AIDS and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection. While programs designed to increase self-protective behaviors are urgently needed to avert a further increase in HIV infection among this population, there is little understanding of African-American sociocultural factors that may influence the acceptance of HIV information and the adoption of HIV-preventive behaviors. This paper describes African-American cultural values and mores which may be related to risk-taking behavior. Barriers to the effective dissemination of HIV prevention education are identified and strategies that may be effective in surmounting these barriers and implementing culturally-appropriate HIV behavioral modification programs are described.
Airhihenbuwa
C O
CO
Health Education Department, Pennsylvania State University, University Park 16802.
DiClemente
R J
RJ
Wingood
G M
GM
Lowe
A
A
D001741:Black or African American; D003469:Culture; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000208:ethnology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D006266:Health Education / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D012309:Risk-Taking; D014481:United States