title: African-American injection drug users: tensions and barriers in HIV/AIDS prevention.
abstract: This exploratory study utilized a focus group methodology to explore tensions and barriers in HIV/AIDS prevention among African-American injection drug users. Participants discussed HIV infection risks, national/community HIV prevention effectiveness, prevention barriers, ideas on barrier removal, and the tensions which exist between users and the larger African-American community. Recognizing the inevitability of continued drug use for many injectors, participants requested basic harm-reduction supplies including condoms, needle exchange programs, additional drug user treatment services, and the use of culturally- and gender-matched peer-led prevention and treatment outreach. Preliminary recommendations are made for consideration in HIV/AIDS prevention among African-American IDUs.
authors.affiliation: Social Work Department, Andrews University, Berrien Springs, Michigan 49104, USA. vanderwa@andrews.edu
authors.forename: C J
authors.initials: CJ
authors.lastname: VanderWaal
authors.forename: F L
authors.initials: FL
authors.lastname: Washington
authors.forename: R D
authors.initials: RD
authors.lastname: Drumm
authors.forename: Y M
authors.initials: YM
authors.lastname: Terry
authors.forename: D C
authors.initials: DC
authors.lastname: McBride
authors.forename: R D
authors.initials: RD
authors.lastname: Finley-Gordon
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001741:Black or African American / Q000523:psychology*; D001290:Attitude; D003144:Communication Barriers; D017280:Condoms; D003657:Decision Making; D005260:Female; D017144:Focus Groups; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000517:prevention & control* / Q000523:psychology*; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006297:Health Services Accessibility; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D018671:Needle-Exchange Programs; D012309:Risk-Taking; D016320:Substance Abuse Treatment Centers; D015819:Substance Abuse, Intravenous / Q000517:prevention & control* / Q000523:psychology*