Associations Between Religious Involvement and Behavioral Risk Factors for HIV/AIDS in American Women and Men in a National Health Survey

Abstract

Women with public religious involvement had lower prevalence of any HIV risk factors while only affiliation was so associated in men.

The Role of Religiousness and Gender in Sexuality Among Mexican Adolescents

“…Most studies assessing the role of religious affiliation in sexual behavior have been conducted among adolescents and emerging adults in the United States (Farmer, Trapnell, & Meston, 2008;Gillum & Holt, 2010). These studies suggest that the largest differences in sexual behavior are between those who affiliate with a religious institution and those who are nonreligious (Farmer et al, 2008;Gillum & Holt, 2010).…”

“…These studies suggest that the largest differences in sexual behavior are between those who affiliate with a religious institution and those who are nonreligious (Farmer et al, 2008;Gillum & Holt, 2010). Nonreligious adolescents report the youngest ages at first intercourse compared to Protestants, Catholics, Jews, Mormons, and other religious groups (Regnerus, 2007).…”

Influence of Religious Coping on the Substance Use and HIV Risk Behaviors of Recent Latino Immigrants

“…Religious involvement has been widely studied as a cultural/social factor that influences various health behaviors (Chatters, 2000;Gillum & Holt, 2010). There is substantial literature documenting an inverse relationship between religiosity and substance use.…”

“…Yet, little is known about the effects of religious factors on HIV-risk behaviors (Gillum & Holt, 2010). Moreover, existing studies in the area of HIV/AIDS and religiosity have primarily focused on African American HIV positive samples (Prado, Szapocznik, Maldonado-Molina, Schwartz, & Pantin, 2008;Scarinci, Griffin, Grogoriu, & Fitzpatrick, 2009).…”

“…In a more recent study, Gillum & Holt (2010) used national survey data to examine the influence of religious involvement on HIV-risk behaviors among people in the U.S. The sample consisted on almost 10,000 males and females ages 15-44 from various racial/ethnic and socio demographic backgrounds.…”