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HIV PREVENTION NEEDS IN AFRICAN AMERICAN WOMEN 50 YEARS AND OLDER

Jones, Ina Ananda (2005) HIV PREVENTION NEEDS IN AFRICAN AMERICAN WOMEN 50 YEARS AND OLDER. Master's Thesis, University of Pittsburgh. (Unpublished)

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Abstract

In the United States between 1991 and 2001, there was an increase of over 848% in new AIDS cases in African American women fifty and older. This increase is due in part to changes in reporting. Because of the startling statistics and scarcity of studies in this population, this study examines the HIV prevention needs of two groups of African American women over fifty, injection drug users and non injection drug users. Focus groups were used to collect data on general HIV knowledge, experience with HIV prevention, psychosocial factors, drug involvement, and risks and barriers to HIV infection and prevention. Data was also collected through a survey that gathered information on demographics, sources of HIV information, HIV testing and risks including knowledge of risk, belief of risk and risk behaviors. This study found that lack of education and misconceptions regarding disease transmission act as a barrier for prevention efforts; a need for inclusive HIV prevention efforts such as multi-generational in-home programs, multi-family programs and the incorporation of prevention messages with existing health services; a need for skills building, condom negotiation skills and self-empowerment. Effective methods suggested were techniques that align with African American culture and heritage such as storytelling, inclusion of family and community. In order to generalize findings from this study, future research must include a representative sample of African American women 50 years and older such as churchgoers, sorority women, health conscious women, ex offenders, past injection drug users, infected or affected women and newly single women. The findings of this study are significant to public health research because they add to a growing body of knowledge regarding the HIV prevention needs of this group, can be used to design prevention messages for the population from which they were gathered, and most importantly provide insight to what a subpopulation of this group views as effective prevention methods. Recommendations for future research are also provided for federal government agencies, state public health agencies, community organizations, the family structure, HIV service groups, physicians, universities and researchers.


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Details

Item Type: University of Pittsburgh ETD
Status: Unpublished
Creators/Authors:
CreatorsEmailPitt UsernameORCID
Jones, Ina Anandadst24sp01@yahoo.com
ETD Committee:
TitleMemberEmail AddressPitt UsernameORCID
Committee ChairTerry, Martha Annmaterry@pitt.eduMATERRY
Committee MemberSilvestre, Anthonytonys@pitt.eduTONYS
Committee MemberCopeland, Valire Carrsswvcc@pitt.eduSSWVCC
Date: 14 June 2005
Date Type: Completion
Defense Date: 5 April 2005
Approval Date: 14 June 2005
Submission Date: 14 April 2005
Access Restriction: No restriction; Release the ETD for access worldwide immediately.
Institution: University of Pittsburgh
Schools and Programs: School of Public Health > Behavioral and Community Health Sciences
Degree: MPH - Master of Public Health
Thesis Type: Master's Thesis
Refereed: Yes
Uncontrolled Keywords: African American Women; fifty years and older; focus groups; HIV; HIV education; HIV prevention; prevention needs; women; women over fifty
Other ID: http://etd.library.pitt.edu/ETD/available/etd-04142005-184855/, etd-04142005-184855
Date Deposited: 10 Nov 2011 19:37
Last Modified: 15 Nov 2016 13:40
URI: http://d-scholarship.pitt.edu/id/eprint/7152

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