Safety net parties: An HIV/AIDS prevention intervention targeting African immigrant women

In Massachusetts, non-US born women account for more than 50% of new diagnosis among Black women. Non-US born women include Caribbean and African immigrant women. Many African women are still challenged with the skills and knowledge needed to make better decisions about their sexual health. Culturally, women considered it taboo to discuss sex and sexuality, therefore there is greater silence concerning HIV. Gender power imbalance make women afraid to initiate condom use for fear of rejection from partners. The goal of Safety Net Parties is to address these barriers in order to optimize and enhance utilization of HIV screening, prevention and care services. They are group level interventions bringing African immigrant women together to discuss challenges related to sexual well-being while addressing barriers to HIV prevention, care and services. HIV testing is provided onsite. Community women are recruited to host “parties”, with women family member/friends, at their residence. From July 2011 to June 2012, the Africans For Improved Access Program conducted a total of eleven group level interventions (GLI). Seven were done with African immigrant women. A total of 76 African immigrant women were reached, ages 18 to 63. Quantitative and qualitative data was collected to evaluate cultural and social barriers, risk factors, HIV knowledge, and intent of behavior change. Qualitative data coding showed a significant relationship between HIV stigma and HIV literacy. The intervention setting decreased stigma and increased open discussions about body anatomy, condom use, and gender relationship barriers. More than 50% of participants received an HIV test.