Skip to main content
NCBI home page
Journal of the National Medical Association logoLink to Journal of the National Medical Association
. 1992 Jan;84(1):49–64.

Do African-American men and women differ in their knowledge about AIDS, attitudes about condoms, and sexual behaviors?

E H Johnson 1, L Gant 1, Y A Hinkle 1, D Gilbert 1, C Willis 1, T Hoopwood 1
PMCID: PMC2637710  PMID: 1602502

Abstract

This study identified a sample of young African-American men and women classified as having multiple sex partners or one sex partner. Of the 149 men, 71 (47%) were classified as having multiple sex partners and 78 (53%) as having one sex partner. Of the 165 women, 29 (19%) were classified as having multiple sex partners and 126 (81%) as having one sex partner. Results indicated that the groups did not differ in their knowledge about acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS). However, attitudes about condom use differed significantly by gender (P less than .01) and by multiple sex status (P less than .001). Angry reactions regarding the negotiation of condom use occurred more with men than with women (P less than .05). Men and members of the multiple sex partners group tended to engage in more risky sexual behavior. These two groups also had a significantly (P less than .001) higher incidence of gonorrhea. While the multiple sex partners group had significantly more smokers (P less than .01), drinkers (P less than .01), and crack users (P less than .05), men were significantly higher consumers of marijuana (P less than .001) and alcohol (P less than .01). Overall, the results indicate that African Americans are knowledgeable about AIDS, but there appears to be a gap between knowledge and risky sexual behaviors. Prospective studies are needed to clarify the factors that determine the relationship (or lack of) between knowledge and risky sexual behaviors. Without such studies, a major part of the foundation that is needed for the development of sensitive and effective AIDS prevention programs for African Americans will be missing.

Full text

PDF
49

Selected References

These references are in PubMed. This may not be the complete list of references from this article.

  1. Brown L. S., Jr, Primm B. J. Sexual contacts of intravenous drug abusers: implications for the next spread of the AIDS epidemic. J Natl Med Assoc. 1988 Jun;80(6):651–656. [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  2. Buffum J. Substance abuse and high-risk sexual behavior: drugs and sex--the dark side. J Psychoactive Drugs. 1988 Apr-Jun;20(2):165–168. doi: 10.1080/02791072.1988.10524489. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  3. Centers for Disease Control (CDC) AIDS and human immunodeficiency virus infection in the United States: 1988 update. MMWR Suppl. 1989 May 12;38(4):1–38. [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  4. Chu S. Y., Buehler J. W., Berkelman R. L. Impact of the human immunodeficiency virus epidemic on mortality in women of reproductive age, United States. JAMA. 1990 Jul 11;264(2):225–229. [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  5. Coates T. J. Strategies for modifying sexual behavior for primary and secondary prevention of HIV disease. J Consult Clin Psychol. 1990 Feb;58(1):57–69. doi: 10.1037//0022-006x.58.1.57. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  6. Cottler L. B., Helzer J. E., Tipp J. E. Lifetime patterns of substance use among general population subjects engaging in high risk sexual behaviors: implications for HIV risk. Am J Drug Alcohol Abuse. 1990;16(3-4):207–222. doi: 10.3109/00952999009001584. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  7. Des Jarlais D. C., Wish E., Friedman S. R., Stoneburner R., Yancovitz S. R., Mildvan D., el-Sadr W., Brady E., Cuadrado M. Intravenous drug use and the heterosexual transmission of the human immunodeficiency virus. Current trends in New York City. N Y State J Med. 1987 May;87(5):283–286. [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  8. DiClemente R. J., Boyer C. B., Morales E. S. Minorities and AIDS: knowledge, attitudes, and misconceptions among black and Latino adolescents. Am J Public Health. 1988 Jan;78(1):55–57. doi: 10.2105/ajph.78.1.55. [DOI] [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  9. Fullilove M. T. Anxiety and stigmatizing aspects of HIV infection. J Clin Psychiatry. 1989 Nov;50 (Suppl):5–8. [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  10. Goldsmith M. F. Sex tied to drugs = STD spread. JAMA. 1988 Oct 14;260(14):2009–2009. [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  11. Guinan M. E., Hardy A. Epidemiology of AIDS in women in the United States. 1981 through 1986. JAMA. 1987 Apr 17;257(15):2039–2042. [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  12. Mays V. M., Cochran S. D. Issues in the perception of AIDS risk and risk reduction activities by black and Hispanic/Latina women. Am Psychol. 1988 Nov;43(11):949–957. doi: 10.1037//0003-066x.43.11.949. [DOI] [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  13. Rickert V. I., Jay M. S., Gottlieb A., Bridges C. Adolescents and AIDS. Female's attitudes and behaviors toward condom purchase and use. J Adolesc Health Care. 1989 Jul;10(4):313–316. doi: 10.1016/0197-0070(89)90064-8. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]

Articles from Journal of the National Medical Association are provided here courtesy of National Medical Association

RESOURCES