Hip-Hop to Prevent Substance Use and HIV among African-American Youth: A Preliminary Investigation

Abstract

Substance use and HIV risk behaviors are increasing among African-American youth. Interventions that incorporate youth values and beliefs are needed to reduce this trajectory. Hip-hop plays an important role in the lives of many African-American youth and provides a context within which to prevent risky behaviors. The current study examines the efficacy of a hip-hop based substance use and HIV preventive intervention that targets African-American middle-school youth. The sample consists of 68 middle-school students who completed baseline and 6-month follow-up assessments. Findings suggest that students in the intervention group were significantly more likely to have higher knowledge of perception of drug risk and more knowledge about HIV/AIDS compared to students in the comparison group at the 6-month post-intervention assessment. Discussion is centered on implications of hip-hop as a viable approach for preventing substance use and HIV within a high-risk group.

A Review of Hip Hop-Based Interventions for Health Literacy, Health Behaviors, and Mental Health

“…Fourteen studies focused on a variety health behaviors including obesity, physical activity, HIV prevention behaviors, substance use, tobacco use, and food choices [34, 35, 47, 53–63] (Table 1). Among the nine studies that focused on diet and/or physical activity, eight studies utilized school as a location for recruitment and implementation: these studies took place in school, preschool, and afterschool settings [34, 53–57, 60, 61].…”

“…The other study took place in an obstetrics clinic that provided care to pregnant teenagers [59]. The remaining five (of 14) health behavior studies focused on tobacco, HIV/AIDS, and substance abuse and took place in schools, a family health center, and an after-school program [35, 47, 58, 62, 63]. …”

“…Health literacy interventions included any studies that tried to increase knowledge about a health condition. Studies with multiple targets were organized by their dominant targets as determined by reviewers (e.g., [35, 47]).…”

Reframing the Context of Preventive Health Care Services and Prevention of HIV and Other Sexually Transmitted Infections for Young Men: New Opportunities to Reduce Racial/Ethnic Sexual Health Disparities

“…70 Other effective community-based, nontraditional efforts describe using a mix of art, hip-hop, and role-playing as avenues to more effectively engage young men as early as middle school and promote prevention of HIV, STIs, and unplanned pregnancy; healthy decision-making; and self-esteem building among young Black men. 71,72 For young MSM of color, house and ball community networks often offer trusted support mechanisms that can also facilitate HIV prevention and sexual health efforts. 73 Local faith leaders also have a role to play by continuing to become more engaged in community HIV-and STI-prevention efforts with faith messages that are encouraging, nonstigmatizing, nonhomophobic, and welcoming for church members and their families, regardless of a person's sexual orientation.…”

Evaluation of a Socio-cultural Intervention to Reduce Unprotected Sex for HIV Among African American/Black Women

“…The strategies use dance, fashion, music, and art to convey prevention information and to promote skill development. H2P has been shown to improve: (1) essential and accurate information about HIV/AIDS and drugs, (2) resistance and refusal skills, (3) effective communication and negotiation skills, (4) correct use of condoms and dental dams, (5) resource tapping, (6) healthy alternatives to sex and drugs, and (7) self-efficacy skills [18]. …”