title: HIV/AIDS and African American men: urban-rural differentials in sexual behavior, HIV knowledge, and attitude towards condoms use.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  We assessed the differences and similarities in knowledge, attitude, beliefs, myths, and misconceptions; and the various high-risk behavioral factors that influence the rate of infectivity of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)/AIDS among African American men in urban and rural communities of Mississippi.
  
  
  METHODS
  A cross-sectional sample survey was conducted on 466 African American men in 2 sites between 2005 and 2007. With the main outcome variables of knowledge, attitude/feelings, behavior/practices, and potentials for behavior change, we administered a 64-item, ethnically sensitive, gender-specific instrument to the subjects via a person-to-person interview.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Of the 466 respondents (urban, 33%; rural, 67%), 70%, 14.4%, and 16.6%, respectively, were heterosexual, bisexual, and men who have sex with men (MSM). The number of the respondents' sexual partners in the previous 12 months were: 1 to 2 (54%), 3 to 4 (25.7%), and 5 or more (20.2%). Statistically significant differences were observed between the 2 populations on HIV knowledge (p < .001), HIV/sexually transmitted infection testing history (p < .001), sexual partners (p = .038), unprotected sexual intercourse with drug users (p < .001), unprotected casual sex (p < .001), intercourse in an open relationship or marriage (p < .001), and communication with potential sex partners regarding sexual limits prior to intercourse (p = .027).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Although the level of HIV/AIDS knowledge and education were lower among urban than rural respondents, subjects' negative overall beliefs, attitude/feelings, behavior and potentials for behavioral change did not differ significantly among the African American men in the 2 communities.
authors.affiliation: Department of Health Studies, College of Health Sciences, Chicago State University, 9501 S King Dr. DH 120B, Chicago, IL 60628-1598, USA. pbassey.williams@csu.edu
authors.forename: Patrick Bassey
authors.initials: PB
authors.lastname: Williams
authors.forename: Anthony M
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Sallar
mesh_terms: D000163:Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000635:transmission; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D016009:Chi-Square Distribution; D017280:Condoms / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D003710:Demography; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000517:prevention & control* / Q000635:transmission; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D007407:Interviews as Topic; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D008922:Mississippi; D012424:Rural Population; D012725:Sexual Behavior; D015229:Sexually Transmitted Diseases, Viral / Q000517:prevention & control* / Q000635:transmission; D014505:Urban Population