Perceived discrimination and HIV/birth control conspiracy beliefs among a sample of urban African American, Latino and White young adults

African Americans and Latinos are disproportionately affected by HIV/STIs and unintended pregnancy. Prior research has indicated that conspiracy beliefs held by some African Americans regarding HIV/AIDS and birth control may be barriers to HIV/STI and unintended pregnancy prevention. Previous studies have also shown that many African Americans report perceived discrimination when receiving health care. Data on whether conspiracy beliefs and perceived discrimination are barriers to engaging in protective behaviors among Latinos is, however, limited. In this presentation we 1) examine perceptions of discrimination and endorsement of HIV and birth control conspiracy beliefs among a sample of urban African American, Latino and White young men and women; 2) investigate if perceived discrimination and conspiracy beliefs are related; and 3) determine whether perceptions of discrimination and endorsement of HIV and birth control conspiracy beliefs vary by gender and race/ethnicity. Preliminary data are derived from analysis of in-person interviews with 204 young men and women (aged 18-30, primarily Latino and African American) from the Los Angeles area who met criteria for being at risk for HIV/STIs. Preliminary findings indicate that both Latinos and African Americans report significantly more discriminatory experiences in health care settings and endorse HIV/birth control conspiracy beliefs significantly more than do Whites. Moreover, perceived discrimination and conspiracy beliefs are significantly correlated. A general absence of gender effects was found. Findings from analyses of the full sample (N=450) will be presented and implications for provision of family planning services, satisfaction with services, and use of contraceptives and condoms will be discussed.