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The 130th Annual Meeting of APHA |
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The 130th Annual Meeting of APHA |
Faith E. Foreman, DrPH, Department of Health and Human Performance, University of Houston, 3855 Holman GAR 104-R, Houston, TX 77204-6015, (713) 743-8639, fforeman@uh.edu
Purpose: The purpose of this study was to explore the association between knowledge and risk perception as predictors for safer sex behavior among African-American college women. Methods: The study participants consisted of women aged 19 to 33 who were full-time students attending a four-year university in Houston, Texas. The women self-identified as having been sexually active with at least one male partner within the past year. Semi-structured in-depth interviews lasting approximately 1.5 hours provided data. Results: Analysis of the interviews and field notes revealed that knowledge of HIV/AIDS and other STDs was not a determinant of safer sex behavior. Perception of personal risk was also not highly correlated with consistent safer sex behavior. Safer sex behavior was influenced by (1) acceptance of personal risk; (2) latent fear and guilt; and (3) affective override of cognition. Implications: Interventions should emphasize personal risk acceptance, interpersonal self-efficacy, and primary prevention over post-coital testing to decrease the practice of risky sexual behavior within this population.
Learning Objectives: At the conclusion of this poster session, the learner in this session will be able to
Keywords: African American, Sexual Risk Behavior
Presenting author's disclosure statement:
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.