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APHA Scientific Session and Event Listing

Melva V. Thompson-Robinson, DrPH, Department of Health Promotion, University of Nevada Las Vegas, 4505 Maryland Parkway, Box 453050, Las Vegas, NV 89154-3050, 702-895-1127, melva.thompson-robinson@unlv.edu, Donna L. Richter, EdD, FAAHB, Dean, Arnold School of Public Health, University of South Carolina, 800 Sumter Street, Columbia, SC 29208, Marya L.O. Shegog, MPH, CHES, Arnold School of Public Health, University of South Carolina, 800 Sumter St., Columbia, SC 29208, Denethia B. Sellers, PhD, Department of Health, Physical Education, and Recreation, Florida A&M University, 206 Gaither Office Complex, Tallahassee, FL 32307, and Vanisha L. Brown, MPH, Department of Epidemiology, University of Pittsburgh, 130 DeSoto St, Room 513, Parran Hall, Pittsburgh, PA 15261.

Background: HIV/AIDS rates are continuing to rise among African Americans through out the US, particularly in the Southeast. Current HIV prevention messages promote condom use when engaging in sex. These messages assume that partners are discussing HIV risk and prevention and are able to negotiate condom usage prior to sexual activity. It is also assumed that the outcomes of these discussions are positive, that is, condoms are used during sex.

Methods: To examine the outcomes of discussions between partners about HIV risk and prevention twenty-two focus groups were conducted with African American women and men ages 18-55 in urban and rural areas in the southeastern United States. These focus groups were audio taped, transcribed and analyzed for recurring and new emerging themes using NVivo 2.1.

Results: Participants in these focus groups indicated that outcomes of these discussions could range from positive outcomes to potential violence, and the end of the relationship. The more negative outcomes tended to be mitigated by age and the perception of partner infidelity. Women, also bore the burden of initiating the conversation, as well as, negative outcomes.

Conclusions: As strategies continue to be developed to address HIV/AIDS in the African American community, the outcomes of sex partners' discussions relative to HIV risk and prevention should be considered. Future interventions need to stress effective communication tools among African American men and women but also impart communication techniques specific to HIV prevention, condom negotiation and how to better manage the possible negative outcomes of discussions that can occur.

Learning Objectives: