College-educated and economically stable African-American women of child-bearing age, 25-34: Unique risk factors of a forgotten population

HIV/AIDS is currently the leading cause of death for African-American women between the ages of 25 and 34. Though there is a dearth of literature on the psychosocial factors that contribute to higher incidence of HIV/AIDS in African-American women, most of the published research on the topic explores African-American women at low socioeconomic status. Very little information is available regarding the HIV risk factors unique to college-educated and economically stable African-American women. The aim of this study combining qualitative and quantitative methods is to explore the psychosocial and structural factors influencing HIV risk among economically stable African-American women of child-bearing age. Emerging themes include the effects of women's desire for romantic partnerships ultimately resulting in marriage and pregnancy in the context of a limited availability of suitable partners resulting from the gender-ratio imbalance in the African-American community. This distinct group of African-American women is of particular concern as they are largely absent from the discourse on HIV prevention, and are instrumental in the building and preservation of African-American communities, while HIV remains the leading cause of death for their age and racial group. Study results indicate that a more targeted prevention approach may be necessary to address this sub-group of women with respect to their unique behavioral and situational risks for HIV resulting from the socio-cultural demands linked with being at an age commonly associated with establishing marriage and family.