Evaluation of a Sexual Health Approach to Prevent HIV Among Low Income, Urban, Primarily African American Women: Results of a Randomized Controlled Trial

Abstract

This randomized controlled trial evaluated an innovative culturally specific sexual health intervention-targeting, but not limited to, low-income African American women-in which HIV and sexually transmitted disease prevention strategies were combined with comprehensive sexuality education. The intervention was delivered and evaluated in community-based settings to 218 participants randomly assigned to treatment or a no-treatment control group. Participants were interviewed at pretest and 3 and 9 months after the intervention to assess changes in both sexuality and HIV risk variables. The intervention was effective in improving sexual anatomy knowledge at both 3- and 9-month follow-up. For a subset of women engaging in unprotected sex at pretest, the intervention group reported an increase in positive attitudes toward the female condom at 9-month follow-up. Reasons for the weak treatment effect are discussed in the context of challenges inherent in conducting community-based research with high-risk populations and sensitive topics. Recommendations are provided for improving sample attrition, statistical power, and response bias and for altering the intervention so as to strengthen its impact.

Sexual Health Counselor Preferences of African American and European American Women: A Brief Report

“…In addition, the results were dissimilar from other published studies that have found African American participants to prefer African American counselors with culturally sensitive counseling values (Robinson et al 2002;Roberts and Miller 2004;Thompson et al 1994). African American participants in the present study rated higher comfort levels for European American counselors who emphasized cultural sensitivity, as opposed to African American counselors with this counseling value.…”

“…Race and culture can impact sexual behavior on a number of levels, requiring the counselor's awareness of cultural issues. In one study, young African American women who reported experiences of racism were more likely to engage in sexual risk-taking behavior due to the negative impact of racism on their sexual self-concept (Robinson et al 2002). In another study, experiences of racial bias influenced high-risk sexual behavior in African Americans through their internalization of poor social attitudes, development of negative self-image, and elevated levels of perceived powerlessness (Roberts and Miller 2004).…”

Obesity, Body Image, and Unsafe Sex in Men who have Sex with Men

“…In previous work, we have investigated the importance of specific components of the Sexual Health Model (e.g., culture, sexual anatomy and functioning, sexual health care, challenges, masturbation and fantasy, positive sexuality, etc.) in a variety of populations (Bockting, Robinson, Forberg, & Scheltema, 2005;Miner, Robinson, Hoffman, Albright, & Bockting, 2002;Robinson, Bockting, & Harrell, 2002;Robinson, Scheltema, & Cherry, 2005;Robinson, Uhl et al, 2002;Ross et al, 2001;Untiedt, 2003;Zamboni, Robinson, & Bockting, in press). …”

HIV Knowledge and Attitudes toward HIV Testing of South Side Chicago Housing Authority Residents

“…16,17 In other studies, knowledge of HIV did not necessarily reflect a decrease in engaging in HIV associated risk behaviors. [17][18][19][20][21][22] However, we noted that there were still sizeable knowledge gaps related to the methods of HIV transmission in that many respondents were concerned abut HIV transmission by methods that do not carry a risk. The reported use of condoms and regular condom use by almost two thirds of the respondents in the survey is encouraging.…”