Levels and predictors of HIV risk behavior among women in low-income public housing developments. Public Health Rep 1995;110(6):707-13
Date
11/01/1995Pubmed ID
8570824Pubmed Central ID
PMC1381813Scopus ID
2-s2.0-0029585679 (requires institutional sign-in at Scopus site) 52 CitationsAbstract
The prevalence of increases in human immunodeficiency virus infection and illness rates among urban disadvantaged women underscore the urgent need for acquired immunodeficiency syndrome prevention interventions for high-risk women. Few studies, however, have examined the factors contributing to risk in this population or predictors of risk taking and risk reduction. A total of 148 women, most of them of racial minorities, living in low-income public housing developments completed measures designed to assess risk for human immunodeficiency virus infection and to analyze factors related to risk taking, including knowledge about acquired immunodeficiency syndrome, behavior change self-efficacy, intention to use condoms, and social norm perception about safer sex practices. History of sexually transmitted diseases, low rates of condom use, and relationships with men who were injection drug users or who were not sexually exclusive were commonly reported. Women were divided into high- or low-risk categories based on behavior during the two preceding months. Women at low risk believed more strongly in personal efficacy of behavior change, were more committed to using condoms, and perceived risk reduction steps as more socially normative than high-risk women. Culturally tailored human immunodeficiency virus prevention interventions that address these dimensions are needed.
Author List
Sikkema KJ, Koob JJ, Cargill VC, Kelly JA, Desiderato LL, Roffman RA, Norman AD, Shabazz M, Copeland C, Winett RAAuthor
Jeffrey A. Kelly PhD Professor in the Psychiatry and Behavioral Medicine department at Medical College of WisconsinMESH terms used to index this publication - Major topics in bold
CondomsFemale
HIV Infections
Humans
Male
Poverty
Public Housing
Risk-Taking
Sexual Behavior
Sexual Partners
United States
Women's Health
