HIV-associated histories, perceptions, and practices among low-income African American women: does rural residence matter?
OBJECTIVE
This study compared HIV-associated sexual health history, risk perceptions, and sexual risk behaviors of low-income rural and nonrural African American women.


METHODS
A cross-sectional statewide survey of African American women (n = 571) attending federally funded Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children clinics was conducted.


RESULTS
Adjusted analyses indicated that rural women were more likely to report not being counseled about HIV during pregnancy (P =.001), that a sex partner had not been tested for HIV (P =.005), no preferred method of prevention because they did not worry about sexually transmitted diseases (P =.02), not using condoms (P =.009), and a belief that their partner was HIV negative, despite lack of testing (P =.04).


CONCLUSIONS
This study provided initial evidence that low-income rural African American women are an important population for HIV prevention programs.
Crosby
Richard A
RA
Department of Behavioral Sciences and Health Education, Rollins School of Public Health, Emory University, 1518 Clifton Road NE, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA. rcrosby@sph.emory.edu
Yarber
William L
WL
DiClemente
Ralph J
RJ
Wingood
Gina M
GM
Meyerson
Beth
B
D015492:AIDS Serodiagnosis / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001741:Black or African American / Q000523:psychology* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D000385:Aid to Families with Dependent Children; D003151:Community Health Centers; D017280:Condoms / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D003376:Counseling / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000208:ethnology* / Q000517:prevention & control*; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D008913:Minority Groups / Q000523:psychology* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D008923:Missouri / Q000453:epidemiology; D009747:Nutritional Physiological Phenomena; D012309:Risk-Taking; D012423:Rural Health; D012725:Sexual Behavior / Q000208:ethnology*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014504:Urban Health