Building International Research Partnerships to Develop HIV Programs for Women of Color in the Context of Social Inequalities and Human Rights

Abstract

This article examines relationships among social inequality, drug use, and HIV risk for women of color in the United States and South Africa. In the first section, social and cultural factors that may place women of color at risk for drug use and exposure to HIV are identified. In the second section, lessons learned while developing HIV prevention research protocols for women of color in South Africa are presented and discussed. Experience suggests that to effectively address women's risks of drug use and AIDS requires specific theoretical models and methodological approaches that acknowledge the critical interface that may exist among social inequality, drug use, and AIDS risk for women worldwide. Successful HIV prevention and intervention programs for women of color worldwide also require international research partnerships that are based on mutual respect between partners and attention to the needs and priorities of the target populations.

Building bridges and breaking down silos: A framework for developing interdisciplinary, international academic-community research collaborations for the benefit of sexual and gender minority youth

“…Demand and uptake of research partnerships have seen a gradual increase in recent years both nationally and internationally (Childs & Potter, 2014;Lantz et al, 2001;Riemer et al, 2012;Schensul et al, 2006). This cross-disciplinary trend is evident in disability studies (Gomez et al, 2018), social work (Dentato et al, 2010;Karban & Ngandu, 2017;Sanders-Phillips et al, 2009), criminal justice (Childs & Potter, 2014), public health (Halbert et al, 2006;Hampton et al, 2007;Lantz et al, 2001;Soltani et al, 2017), and mental health (Ayers & Arch, 2013;Cavaleri et al, 2010;Horsfall et al, 2010;Meza et al, 2016;Riemer et al, 2012;Schensul et al, 2006) to name a few.…”

Hidden in plain sight: Making a case for heterosexual Black college women being identified as a high-risk population for HIV infection.

“…Many factors have been cited that help explain the inconsistent condom use behaviors among Black women. These factors include low partner communication self-efficacy (Ferguson et al, 2006;Sanders-Phillips, 2002), low levels of sexual negotiation (Wingood, Hunter-Gamble, & DiClemente, 1993), and decreased communication with partners about condom use (Perrino, Fernandez, Bowen, & Arheart, 2005). Young women, and young Black women in particular, are more likely to hold negative attitudes toward condom use than their White female counterparts (Valdiserri, Arena, Proctor, & Bonati, 1989) and report difficulty initiating condom use with partners in relationships they define as committed (Hall, Peterson, & Johnson, 2014;Jemmott & Jemmott, 1991).…”

Age-related experiences of diverse older women living with HIV: A scoping review protocol informed by intersectionality

“…In the context of older women living with HIV, it is crucial to recognize that the intersections of individual's identities significantly influence their experiences, both in terms of privilege and discrimination [40,41]. For instance, the needs and challenges faced by women of color living with HIV differ from those of other groups [42,43]. Moreover, the intersectionality of aging with HIV as a female urges us to consider the multifaceted nature of stigmatized identities (i.e., being a women, living with HIV, ageism) [44].…”