Gender Ratio Imbalance Effects on HIV Risk Behaviors in African American Women

Abstract

Although literature suggests that African American women are no more likely to engage in risky sex than their White counterparts, they are more likely to have sex partners with higher HIV risk. Thus, it is not solely an individual’s behavior that determines their risk, but also the behavior of their partner and their position within a sexual network. For this reason, it is important to consider the dynamics of heterosexual relationships in the African American community. An important area of concern regarding African American heterosexual relationships is that of partner availability. A shortage of available African American men for potential partnerships exists and is reportedly due to poorer health and higher mortality rates. Some have argued that gender-ratio imbalance may be responsible for increased HIV vulnerability for African American women. This article reviews the literature on gender ratio imbalance and HIV risk in the African American community, and presents implications and suggestions for future research and intervention.

Incorporating Communication into the Theory of Planned Behavior to Predict Condom Use Among African American Women

“…An important environmental factor that influences condom use for African American women is fear or worry when negotiating condom use because the sex partners might leave, threaten, or abuse them (Salazar et al, 2004). While anticipated negative reactions from a partner may inhibit one’s willingness to negotiate condom use, such fears may be especially relevant for African American women given there are fewer male partners available (Newsome & Airhihenbuwa, 2012), resulting in power differentials that affect sexual decision-making (Amaro & Raj, 2000; Wingood & DiClemente, 2000). While such fears are not typically examined with the TPB, we propose that fears associated with condom negotiation will be negatively associated with attitudes, subjective norms, and self-efficacy.…”

Partnership-Level Analysis of African American Women’s Risky Sexual Behavior in Main and Non-Main Partnerships

“…Although we did not find an effect of income on risky sexual behavior, a context of poverty and financial insecurity may contribute to power inequalities and HIV risks (31). Similarly, factors further influencing this interpersonal power dynamic include structures of sexual networks in African American communities due to high rates of incarceration among African American men, leading to a reduced number of available partners (32, 33). …”

African American Women and Sexually Transmitted Infections: The Contextual Influence of Unbalanced Sex Ratios and Individual Risk Behaviors

“…Specifically, African American men may be seen as a commodity in this social context. This disadvantages African American women as they may have less leverage in advocating for monogamous sexual relationships and condom use, which subsequently impacts their sexual health outcomes (Adimora, et al, 2001; Newsome & Airhihenbuwa, 2013; Senn, Scott-Sheldon, Seward, Wright, & Carey, 2011; Woolf-King & Maisto, 2015). …”