Sociodemographic and behavioral characteristics of African-American women with HIV and AIDS in Los Angeles County, 1990-1997.
African-American women have the highest AIDS rate of any racial/ethnic group of women in both Los Angeles County (LAC), California and in the United States. Limited population-based epidemiologic studies of African-American women with HIV and AIDS describe this group and examine the factors associated with the excessive rates. Interview data collected from 1990 to 1997 on a population-based sample of AIDS cases and a group of HIV-infected women in LAC were analyzed to highlight the sociodemographic and behavioral characteristics of African-American women. This group of African-American women with HIV or AIDS in LAC were unemployed (88%), single mothers (64%), living on public assistance (86%) with annual household incomes <$10,000 U.S. (76%). A history of crack use predominated (50%). Compared with women of other races with HIV and AIDS, African-American women reported more sexual partners; reported more infections with sexually transmitted diseases; sought treatment for their HIV infection later; were more likely to trade sex; and were almost five times more likely to have ever used crack cocaine. HIV prevention for African-American women in LAC should focus on improving self-esteem and negotiation skills within the context of the crack cocaine culture and the disadvantaged social and economic situation described.
Wohl
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HIV Epidemiology Program, Los Angeles County Department of Health Services, California 90005, USA.
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Odem
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Sorvillo
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Pegues
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Kerndt
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D000163:Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000503:physiopathology; D000328:Adult; D001741:Black or African American / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D002140:California / Q000453:epidemiology; D017280:Condoms; D003710:Demography; D005006:Ethnicity; D005260:Female; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000503:physiopathology; D006801:Humans; D007182:Income; D007407:Interviews as Topic; D015141:Los Angeles / Q000453:epidemiology; D008875:Middle Aged; D012725:Sexual Behavior; D012749:Sexually Transmitted Diseases / Q000150:complications / Q000453:epidemiology; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D014930:Women