African American men living in low income, urban communities represent a significant proportion of persons living with HIV/AIDS, yet there is a dearth of programs addressing their prevention needs, and little empirical research with which to inform future endeavors. Men in heterosexual relationships have been cited as a primary source of the spread of HIV and other STDs to minority women, yet these men continue to remain underserved by prevention efforts themselves. The purpose of this study is to examine the efficacy of an HIV prevention intervention with African American men in heterosexual relationships. This study is part of a 4 year NIMH study (Project CONNECT) testing the efficacy of HIV prevention with women and couples in heterosexual relationships at risk for HIV infection in the Bronx, NY. In this presentation the unit of analysis is the man. Outcome data will be presented from 105 African American men participating in three conditions: (1) men who participated in Project CONNECT sessions together with their female partner; (2) men whose female partner participated in Project CONNECT sessions; and (3) men among a control group. The outcomes to be described in this paper will include: negotiation of safety agreements between partners, condom use with main and casual partners, and utilization of higher-rated safer sex practices (as indicated by the NYS Safer Sex Hierarchy). In addition, the study will examine self-reporting of STDs, and perceived risk. The implications of the findings to HIV prevention for African-American men and their main partners will be discussed.
Learning Objectives: This presentation will address the contextual and relational aspects of heterosexual HIV transmission. Faculty will review the need to reach out to men to provide more effective HIV prevention information. Participants will learn about an HIV prevention intervention with urban heterosexual women and their main male partners. Risk reduction variables (condom use with main and casual partners, adoption of safer sex practices, and negotiation of safety agreements) will be reviewed and correlated with mediating variables concerning level of intimacy, type of relationship, and degree of sexual comfort with partner--as reported by male study participants. The implications of these findings to HIV prevention for African American men and their main partners will be discussed
Keywords: HIV Interventions, Male Reproductive Health
Presenting author's disclosure statement:
Organization/institution whose products or services will be discussed: Social Intervention Group
Project Connect
Columbia University School of Social Work
St. Barnabas Hospital, Bronx, NY
I have a significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.
Relationship: Project Director--Project Connect; Employed by Social Intervention Group