scholarly journals “It Had a Lot of Cultural Stuff in It”: HIV-Serodiscordant African American Couples’ Experiences of a Culturall y Congruent Sexual Health Intervention

2020 ◽  
Vol 30 (2) ◽  
pp. 269-276
Author(s):  
Jacqueline Mthembu ◽  
Alison B. Hamilton ◽  
Norweeta G. Milburn ◽  
Deborah Sinclair ◽  
Siyabulele Mkabile ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
African American ◽  
Sexual Health ◽  
Cultural Values ◽  
Sexual Behaviors ◽  
Sexual Communication ◽  
People Living With Hiv ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Serodiscordant Couples ◽  
Culturally Congruent ◽  
Positive Prevention

Objective: The increased life expectancy of people living with HIV has brought about an increase in serodiscordant couples, in which there is risk of HIV transmission. Therefore, interventions that promote sexual health and reduce risk are critical to develop for these couples. Given the disproportionate burden of HIV among populations of color, it is also critical that these interventions are culturally congruent. The EBAN intervention for African American serodiscordant couples recognizes the centrality of culture in shap­ing sexual behaviors and helps couples develop intimacy and positive prevention behaviors. The analytic objective of our study was to examine the knowledge and awareness gained by participants in the intervention.Participants: Participants (n=17) who com­pleted at least half of the eight intervention sessions.Methods: Brief post-implementation semi-structured interviews were conducted be­tween January 1, 2016 and December 31, 2016. Team-based, targeted content analysis focused on knowledge and awareness gains.Results: Participants described learning about sexual health, expanded sexual options, and sexual communication. The “EBAN café,” a component that gives couples a menu of options for safer sex behaviors, was particularly popular. Partici­pants also noted the value of learning how to communicate with one another about their sexual health-related concerns and preferences. They appreciated the “cultural stuff” that was infused throughout the ses­sions, including the emphasis on learning from one another as couples.Conclusions: Couples at risk for HIV trans­mission benefit from strengthening skills and knowledge related to healthy sexual­ity. A behavioral intervention that aligns with cultural values and imparts culturally congruent sexual health information appeals to couples who seek ways to enhance their intimacy and sexual options while also re­ducing risk. Ethn Dis. 2020;30(2):269-276; doi:10.18865/ed.30.2.269

Boundaries of sexual communication: a mixed-method study exploring Chinese young adults’ engagement with online sexual health information

Sexual Health ◽  
2016 ◽  
Vol 13 (3) ◽  
pp. 281 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jingwen Zhang ◽  
Chloe Nurik ◽  
John B. Jemmott
Keyword(s):  
Young Adults ◽  
Sexual Health ◽  
Health Information ◽  
Mixed Method ◽  
Family Income ◽  
Sexual Communication ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Sexual Health Information ◽  
Chinese Young Adults

Background: Although previous research suggests that a majority of Chinese young adults get sexual health information through the Internet, the details of this process and how it translates into subsequent actions are unknown. This study aims to understand the dynamic nature of Chinese young adults’ engagement with online sexual health information (OSHI) through various communication channels to inform the development of effective sexual health intervention strategies. Methods: A mixed-method approach was used, involving individual semi-structured interviews (n = 30) and cross-sectional online surveys (n = 561) with Chinese young adults aged 18 to 25 years. Qualitative themes and prevalence and predictors of engagement with OSHI were analysed. Results: Three themes emerged from the interviews: (1) problem-based searching; (2) multi-criteria evaluation; and (3) stigma of online sharing and discussion. After engaging with OSHI, 87.3% of the survey participants followed online advice on at least one occasion, and 54.9% discussed this information with others (mostly with partners and friends) offline. Having sexual intercourse in the past 3 months was a consistent predictor of engagement with OSHI (P < 0.05). Contrary to previous findings, participants with higher family income were more likely to engage with OSHI (P < 0.05). Conclusions: Chinese young adults obtain sexual health information from online sources when personal problems arise and then circulate this information offline within their peer networks. Although social media interventions have shown some promise, researchers should first increase risk awareness and be cautious about designing programs that promote online sharing or discussion. Finally, researchers need to make extra effort to target young adults with limited resources.

Making sense of syphilis: beliefs, behaviours and disclosure among gay men recently diagnosed with infectious syphilis and the implications for prevention

Sexual Health ◽  
2006 ◽  
Vol 3 (3) ◽  
pp. 155 ◽  
Author(s):  
Natalie L. Lambert ◽  
John Imrie ◽  
Martin J. Fisher ◽  
Alan Phillips ◽  
Rod Watson ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Sexual Health ◽  
Sexual Communication ◽  
Partner Notification ◽  
Risk Behaviour ◽  
Control Measures ◽  
Transmission Risk ◽  
Outpatient Services ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Health Seeking ◽  
Convenience Sample

Background: The resurgence of syphilis in men who have sex with men (MSM) has proved remarkably resilient in the face of innovative control and prevention interventions. Understanding the determinants of the current outbreaks has been restricted by the available data. Qualitative work is needed to understand individual and community experiences of syphilis and to help guide new prevention and control efforts. Methods: An exploratory study using semi-structured interviews with a convenience sample of MSM (n = 15), recently diagnosed with infectious syphilis, attending sexual health and HIV-outpatient services in Brighton, England. Results: Analysis focussed on men’s beliefs about syphilis, their experience of testing and being given a syphilis diagnosis, mediators of ‘risky’ sexual behaviour and disclosure to social and sexual contacts. Two beliefs — ‘syphilis is rare’ and ‘syphilis is dirty’ — dominated respondents’ accounts. These beliefs coloured every aspect of respondents’ clinical and social experience of syphilis, and impeded disclosure and partner notification. They also contributed to misconceptions about behaviours with increased syphilis transmission risk, the mechanics of disease acquisition, health-seeking behaviours and risk-reduction strategies. Conclusions: The apparent failure of syphilis control measures so far may be due to our limited understanding of MSM’s views and experience of STIs other than HIV. Syphilis prevention needs to tackle MSM’s widely held beliefs about sexual communication, risk behaviour and other STIs. The most useful health education interventions are likely to be those that build on MSM’s significant knowledge base and address both the current syphilis crisis and wider sexual health promotion goals.

scholarly journals African American College Freshman Students' Knowledge, Attitudes, Beliefs, and Behaviors Related to HIV: A Preliminary Investigation

2008 ◽  
Author(s):  
Marie Rose
Keyword(s):  
African American ◽  
Hiv Prevention ◽  
Sexual Health ◽  
Sexual Behaviors ◽  
Sexual Partners ◽  
College Freshman ◽  
Convenience Sample ◽  
Hiv Intervention ◽  
And Behaviors ◽  
Freshman Students

Purpose: To assess African American college freshman students’ knowledge, attitudes, beliefs, and behaviors related to HIV. Method: A descriptive exploratory design with survey methodology was used to carry out the study. The participants were a convenience sample of 222 African American college freshman students with an average age of 18 years. The Maine HIV Prevention Community Planning Group questionnaire was used to elicit information from participants. Results: The majority of respondents were knowledgeable about HIV prevention and transmission (M = 9.36 on a maximum of 10, SD = .951). Their knowledge score was positively and statistically associated with whether or not they are likely to use a condom the next time they have sex (r = .18, p = .007) at an alpha of .01. The knowledge scores did not correlate with age, HIV risk, and the number of sexual partners. The respondents’ high level of HIV knowledge and their positive attitudes towards sexual health did not prevent them from engaging in risky sexual behaviors. The respondents identified schools (48.2%) and social gatherings (34.7%) as their two main venues for meeting sexual partners. They also listed television (86.6%) and school programs (70.3%) as their two main sources of HIV information. Conclusion: The findings indicated that further examination of the design of HIV intervention programs for African American college students may be necessary in order for the interventions to be effective. Health professionals and educators should then be concerned about the students’ sexual behaviors and determine what can be done to improve their sexual health.

scholarly journals African-American caregivers’ perspectives on aggressive behaviors in dementia

Dementia ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 18 (7-8) ◽  
pp. 3036-3058
Author(s):  
Bryan R Hansen ◽  
Nancy A Hodgson ◽  
Laura N Gitlin
Keyword(s):  
African American ◽  
Aggressive Behavior ◽  
Cultural Values ◽  
Behavioral Strategies ◽  
Aggressive Behaviors ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Dementia Caregivers ◽  
Effective Strategies ◽  
Person With Dementia ◽  
African American Caregivers

Purpose Although African-American dementia caregivers report less upset and more confidence managing aggressive behaviors when compared to whites, their contextual experience remains unclear and this study explores that context. Methods Semi-structured interviews with 13 African-American family caregivers were analyzed using content analysis. Results Two themes emerged, “It’s the disease…not the person” and “You got to pick your battles.” “It’s the disease…not the person,” reframing aggressive behavior, included three sub-themes. Sometimes the person with dementia seemed like a stranger but caregivers remembered “In there somewhere is that person.” Aggressive behavior made this perspective difficult as they reported, “Sometimes it’s hard not to take it personal.” Premorbid dyadic conflict made caregiving difficult but caregivers remembered they were “Not who they were then.” “You got to pick your battles,” reflecting cognitive and behavioral strategies, also included three sub-themes. Participants prioritized caregiving over other commitments by reminding themselves “I got to do what I gotta do.” Preventing aggressive behaviors was most successful when “We didn’t argue…we didn’t insist” and caregivers remembered “Don’t put her in a position to fail” when involving the person with dementia in activities. Implications African-American caregivers described substantial challenges when confronted by aggressive behaviors. Strategies employed by caregivers enabled them to maintain a caring perspective and the person with dementia to maintain calm. Interventions that help caregivers manage aggressive behaviors may benefit by considering the challenges, cultural values, and effective strategies used by African-Americans.

Dating Violence Victimization And African-American Adolescent Females' Sexual Health

2002 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gina M. Wingood ◽  
Donna Hubbard McCree ◽  
Ralph J. DiCtemente ◽  
Kathy Harrington ◽  
Susan L. Davies
Keyword(s):  
African American ◽  
Sexual Health ◽  
Dating Violence ◽  
Adolescent Females ◽  
African American Adolescent ◽  
Violence Victimization ◽  
African American Adolescent Females

Examining the Self-Reported Sexual Behaviors of African American Adolescents

2009 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rhonda Lewis-Moss ◽  
Chakema Carmack ◽  
Jamilia Sly ◽  
Shani Roberts
Keyword(s):  
African American ◽  
Sexual Behaviors ◽  
African American Adolescents ◽  
The Self

Love and Intimacy as Vulnerability to HIV Infection: A Case Study of MSM

2016 ◽  
Vol 5 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Archana Kaushik
Keyword(s):  
Hiv Infection ◽  
Cultural Values ◽  
Sexual Behaviors ◽  
Sex Workers ◽  
Sexual Minorities ◽  
Suicide Attempts ◽  
Service Providers ◽  
Structural Barriers ◽  
Health Seeking ◽  
Sex With Men

Sexual minorities are among the most marginalized groups in the society. Sero-positivity accentuates social exclusion among the sexual minorities. The paper aims to appraise the factors that make Men who have Sex with Men (MSM) vulnerable to HIV infection and influence their health seeking behaviors. It highlights two major domains socio-cultural and interpersonal variables. Qualitative in nature and based on ten in-depth case studies of HIV infected MSM, the study is located in Delhi, India. Factors such as age, marital status, child sexual abuse, multiple sex partners, are crucial in influencing their vulnerability. Socio-cultural milieu puts structural barriers restricting integration of MSM in the society. Cultural values do not allow talking about sex, which hampers healthy sexual behaviors. Exhibiting aggression, sexual violence, visiting sex-workers etc. are considered as important aspects to prove manhood. At the interpersonal level, possessiveness, betrayal, infidelity, heartbreak, strong emotional whirlpool when love-relations go incongruent, all takes a heavy toll of their mental and physical health. These variables socially exclude the sexual minorities from the mainstream life. Findings show positive (disclosing to family, abstinence, spiritual growth) and negative (suicide-attempts, drug-use) ways of coping among the MSM respondents. Critical areas of concern for service-providers while planning interventions for empowering people with sexual minority are delineated.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document