263061 Young Black Men, Condom Usage, and Sexual Health Services

Monday, October 29, 2012

Angelica Geter, MPH , Department of Psychology, Morehouse College, Atlanta, GA
Sinead Younge, PhD , Department of Psychology, Morehouse College, Decatur, GA
Introduction: Black college students serve as a bridge between high and low risk populations among Black Americans. In 2009, Black Americans comprised 14% of the US population but accounted for 44% of all new HIV infections in 2009. Persons aged 13-29 accounted for 39% of all new cases of HIV, with the highest incidence of HIV (51%) among Black men. The current study explored the contextual factors (e.g., student health services policies and practices, condom availability, social norms, institution identification, perceived community risk factors) that moderate and mediate the relationship between individual level factors and risk/protective behaviors.

Methods: Black male collegiate students (N=19), aged 20-24, were recruited to complete a brief questionnaire and participated in qualitative interviews on the present topic.

Results: The participants' safe sex behaviors were determined by their commitment level to their partner(s) and previous HIV/STI prevention knowledge. Condoms were most frequently used as a method of birth control with primary partners and HIV/STI prevention with secondary or concurrent partners. Majority of the participants did not utilize the available sexual health services to receive access to condoms. Utilization of these services was primarily for the purpose of HIV/STI testing. Barriers to seeking these services included fear of judgment, perception of a lack of confidentiality, and condom brand and size.

Conclusions: Further exploration of the contextual contributors to sexual health concerning Black males in and outside of the academic setting is needed.

Learning Areas:
Public health or related research
Social and behavioral sciences

Learning Objectives:
Discuss contextual factors (e.g., student health services practices, condom availability,and social norms) that moderate and mediate the relationship between individual level factors and risk/protective behaviors among young Black men.

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

Qualified on the content I am responsible for because: I have been the co-principal of a federally funded grant focusing on sexual risk behavior and HIV/AIDS prevention among men. I am an applied evaluator and behavioral scientist with experience in outcome, process and formative evaluations, and intervention design and dissemination in the area of HIV/AIDS and STIs among underserved populations.
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.

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