259899 Does knowledge of the Tuskegee Syphilis Experiment really matter in the HIV/AIDS behaviors of Blacks and Latinos?

Monday, October 29, 2012

Vickie M. Mays, PhD, MSPH , UCLA School of Public Health/UCLA Department of Psychology, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA
Courtney Coles, BA , Department of Epidemiology, UCLA School of Public Health, Los Angeles, CA
Susan D. Cochran, PhD, MS , Epidemiology, UCLA School of Public Health, Los Angeles, CA
Background: Previous studies have explored the relationship between the legacy of the Tuskegee Syphilis Experiment and reluctance of minorities to participate in HIV/AIDS related treatment or clinical research with mixed results. The purpose of this study was to examine community generated beliefs and conspiracy theories about HIV/AIDS based in the Tuskegee legacy and actual knowledge of the Tuskegee Syphilis Experiment. Methods: Telephone interviews were conducted with Black (n=510) and Latino (n=253) residents age 18-45 in low-income households in predominantly minority neighborhoods in Los Angeles as a part of a larger health survey. Results: Blacks were significantly more likely than Latinos to endorse HIV/AIDS conspiracy beliefs. When asked to describe the Tuskegee Syphilis Experiment, 72% and 94% of Blacks and Latinos, respectively, were unable to describe the experiment factually. Of those who had heard about the study, 7% and 3% of Blacks and Latinos, respectively, also could not provide factual details. For those who were aware and could report with accuracy there was a positive correlate of endorsement of the ‘conspiracy statements', lower levels of AIDS knowledge and more likely to be Black. Conclusions: Results of this study raise questions about the extent to which the actual Tuskegee Syphilis Experiment is operating in the participation of African Americans in HIV/AIDS clinical trials, prevention and intervention efforts. Results suggest that we focus on other factors, particularly low levels of knowledge about HIV/AIDS and what symbolically is represented by Tuskegee, as a method for increasing HIV/AIDS research participation.

Learning Areas:
Assessment of individual and community needs for health education
Diversity and culture
Public health or related research
Social and behavioral sciences

Learning Objectives:
1. Describe the relationship between beliefs about HIV/AIDS and knowledge of the Tuskegee Syphilis Experiment in Blacks and Latinos 2. Describe the relationship between endorsement of HIV/AIDS conspiracy beliefs and level of HIV/AIDS accurate knowledge 3. Describe what factors other than knowledge of the Tuskegee Syphilis Experiment may account for participation behavior of Blacks and Latinos in HIV/AIDS research.

Keywords: HIV/AIDS, Minority Research

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

Qualified on the content I am responsible for because: I am a second year graduate student that has experience writing abstracts and presenting data at conferences. I have experience with minority health research.
Any relevant financial relationships? No

I agree to comply with the American Public Health Association Conflict of Interest and Commercial Support Guidelines, and to disclose to the participants any off-label or experimental uses of a commercial product or service discussed in my presentation.