Factors influencing HIV/AIDS in women of color.
OBJECTIVE
The author reviews selected findings on the behavioral risk factors for exposure to HIV among women of color and the social, psychological, and cultural factors that may be related to these risks and to the use of condoms. The potential value of empowerment models of AIDS intervention for women of color is examined.


METHODS
The most common routes of exposure to HIV for women of color are intravenously injected drug use and prostitution related to drug use. A woman's risk for exposure to HIV is related to her ability to protect herself by negotiating a safe sexual relationship with a partner. Women who feel powerless in their relationships are less likely to protect themselves against HIV exposure. These perceptions of powerlessness are the result of a broad array of experiences that may include secondary status, exposure to violence, restricted economic opportunities, and experiences of racism and oppression.


CONCLUSIONS
Research on primary and secondary prevention of HIV infection in women of color must acknowledge and address the multiple determinants of health and risk behaviors in research paradigms and methodologies that assess women's risk in relationship to race, ethnicity, and socioeconomic factors.
Sanders-Phillips
Kathy
K
Howard University, Center for Drug Abuse Research, 2900 Van Ness Street, NW, Suite 400, Washington, DC 20008, USA. ksandersphillips@aol.com
D000163:Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome / Q000191:economics / Q000208:ethnology / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control; D001741:Black or African American / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D017280:Condoms / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D005260:Female; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000191:economics / Q000208:ethnology* / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control; D006630:Hispanic or Latino / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D006801:Humans; D011209:Power, Psychological; D011287:Prejudice; D011322:Primary Prevention; D012307:Risk Factors; D012309:Risk-Taking; D020377:Self Efficacy; D011477:Sex Work / Q000208:ethnology; D012725:Sexual Behavior / Q000208:ethnology; D012931:Social Environment; D015819:Substance Abuse, Intravenous / Q000150:complications; D014481:United States / Q000453:epidemiology; D014754:Violence / Q000208:ethnology; D016387:Women's Health