HIV conspiracy beliefs among racial/ethnic minority illicit drug users

Objective: We examined conspiracy beliefs about HIV among illicit drug users of three racial/ethnic groups. Methods: Participants of African-American (38%), Latino (33%), and non-Hispanic white (29%) backgrounds were recruited from community-based programs in New York City (n = 72) and San Francisco (n = 103). Interviews included an attitudinal assessment measuring beliefs concerning the origin of HIV as a genocidal conspiracy, information being withheld about the disease, and a cure for AIDS being withheld. Results: African Americans (45%) were more likely than non-Hispanic whites (24%) and Latinos (28%) to believe that HIV is a man-made virus (p < .05). African Americans (47%) as compared to non-Hispanic whites (22%) and Latinos (29%) believed that a cure for AIDS is being withheld from them (p < .05). African Americans (41%) were also more likely to hold the belief that AIDS was produced in a government laboratory than non-Hispanic whites (20%, p < .05). Both African Americans (32%) and Latinos (31%) were more likely than non-Hispanic whites (12%) to report that AIDS is a form of genocide against people of their race/ethnicity (p < .05). Conclusions: Racial/ethnic minority drug users, particularly African Americans, more often held HIV conspiracy beliefs than non-Hispanic whites. HIV prevention and treatment efforts with minorities should address possible conspiracy beliefs and sources of mistrust of medical and public health institutions. Interventions that encourage discussion about conspiracy beliefs may have the potential to reduce HIV related risk behaviors and enhance engagement in care among high risk groups of racial/ethnic minorities.