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A double edged sword: African American seminarians' attitudes and perspectives about Mutual HIV Testing in intimate relationships
One in six people in the US may unknowingly have HIV (CDC, 2013); African Americans (AA) are disproportionately at risk, including heterosexual and same-sex couples. Many sex partners may underestimate HIV risk and be unknowingly exposed. Mutual HIV testing (MHT) supports couples testing for HIV together. Due to the threat of HIV to the health of intimate relationships, increased state laws in support of same-sex marriages, and faith leaders’ interactions with many couples, we examined the influence of AA seminarians--new generation faith leaders (NGFL)--to understand their attitudes about mutual HIV testing (MHT) within intimate relationships.
METHODS
In 2010, ten AA seminarians were recruited from three seminaries in Georgia. Data were collected using mixed methods and analyzed using descriptive statistics and a constant comparative, thematic analytical approach to identify main themes.
RESULTS
The sample included five male and five female participants (mean age = 38.4 years; range 24-56). Several denominations (i.e. Methodist, nondenominational, Baptist) were represented; one of ten seminarians provided faith-based services for both heterosexual and same-sex couples. Main themes identified were: 1) the implied meaning of MHT (A Symbolic Gesture and It's Complicated), and 2) the perceived benefits and barriers MHT poses for intimate relationships (A Double-Edged Sword).
CONCLUSIONS
The research demonstrates how NGFL can help shape the conversation about HIV testing and can potentially influence (shift) the norms about MHT for couples and other faith leaders. This research can inform HIV prevention interventions that engage faith leaders for both heterosexual and same-sex couples.
Learning Areas:
Social and behavioral sciencesLearning Objectives:
Discuss the implications of mutual HIV testing for partners in intimate relationships.
Keyword(s): Faith Community, HIV/AIDS
Qualified on the content I am responsible for because: I am the lead researcher on this study and have led other qualitaive studies that address such as promoting HIV testing, reducing HIV stigma, and working with couples. I am particularly committed to research that identifies strategies to engage African American faith leaders in HIV prevention.
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.