Policies involving structural interventions to reduce risks associated with HIV/AIDS in communities of Color in Chicago, Illinois

This study explores policies associated with structural interventions regarding alcohol abuse as a risk factor for unprotected sexual intercourse. It also assessed local zoning of alcohol outlets, the form of alcohol available and the impact of restriction on public drinking. Stratified random sampling of 600 subjects in African-American and Hispanic subjects were selected and and interviewed for this study. Strafication was performed by ethnicity. The respondents were asked to assess the role of policies and various structural interventions in reducing use of alcohol as risk factors for HIV/AIDS. Although more African-Americans were more knowledgable about these structural interventions to reduce the use of alcohol than their Hispanic counterparts, the latter subjects favored the elimination of alcohol advertsing in many of their communities. The results of the studies including respondents' comments regarding the policy implications about the enforcement of restriction on public drinking,restrictions place on alcohol advertising and the elimination of alcohol drinking on campus are discussed.