Similarities and Differences Matter: Considering the Influence of Gender on HIV Prevention Programs for Young Adults in an Urban HBCU

Abstract

Human Immunodeficiency Virus/Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (HIV/AIDS) disproportionately burdens African American youth and young adults. In studies conducted in Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCU) settings, African American youth generally perceive themselves as having a low risk of contracting HIV and sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) despite having higher rates of unprotected sexual encounters, multiple sex partners, and particularly low rates of HIV testing and awareness of HIV status. These findings position HBCUs in a pivotal role for theory-based research and practice to modify behaviors in order to decrease HIV acquisition risk. Get Students Mobilized and Retooled to Transform (SMART) is an interventional research project in an urban HBCU in a northeastern metropolitan area in the US. The project is designed to assess and then address irresponsible behavior among students on college campuses that leads to illicit drug use, excessive alcohol consumption and underage drinking, and risky sexual behaviors that increase the likelihood of acquiring HIV and STDs. As gender plays a critical role in interventions, this article explores gender similarities and differences to inform the planning and implementation of Get SMART and any subsequent projects that address substance and alcohol use and HIV in an HBCU setting. Survey research was conducted to find similar and different factors that may be valuable in implementing and tailoring evidence-based interventions in a predominantly African American campus setting. Survey results revealed that more young adult women consume alcohol and use marijuana than young adult men. Young adult men were also more likely to be tested for HIV when compared to young adult women.

Does Sexual Compulsivity Play a Role in Unprotected Intercourse? A Cross-Sectional Study Among Sexually Active STI Patients in Shanghai

“…STD clinics in Shanghai can work with psychiatric hospitals and establish a system that can effectively help the patients to manage their sexual impulse. Furthermore, the difference we found between males and females can provide a new approach to the prevention of UI that would include two different intervention procedures appropriate for males and females, respectively (42). If women's disadvantaged position in applying protection prevents them from having protected intercourse according to their own will, we should establish a method that can somehow shift that disadvantage (43,44).…”

A System-Level Approach to Improve HIV Screening in an Urban Pediatric Primary Care Setting

“…40,41 There is a call to expand HIV screening among youth who are most at risk for HIV, especially in settings where youth are more likely to be unaware of their HIV status. 42 Universal optout screening of youth living in high-prevalence areas is 1 possible solution to further improving the HIV cascade in this population. Given that most youth report a recent visit with their primary care providers, primary care settings are key locations that may benefit from increasing screening through the use of system-level strategies to identify youth with HIV.…”

Current behavioral, socioeconomic and demographic determinants of lifetime HIV testing among African Americans in the deep south

“…African Americans in the older age groups may have a low self-perceived risk of HIV, contributing to the lower likelihood of HIV testing observed in this age group. [21] Other reasons may be because majority of older adults in the AA population run female headed and grandparent headed households with minimal resources, experiencing age related disabilities that make it hard to engage in activities of daily living, while catering to the needs of their household. [22] This may cause them to experience financial challenges and transportation barriers with poor access to HIV testing.…”

“…Additionally, we examined the likelihood of testing for HIV by gender based on a priori hypothesis, as gender differences plays a critical role in planning HIV prevention interven-tions. [21] Findings from this study can assist state health services, policy makers and program planners in developing strategies to properly target HIV education, awareness and testing in the South, thereby reducing associated disparities.…”