Airhihenbuwa C O, DiClemente R J, Wingood G M, Lowe A
Health Education Department, Pennsylvania State University, University Park 16802.
AIDS Educ Prev. 1992 Fall;4(3):267-76.
African-Americans have emerged as the "second wave" of the AIDS epidemic. Epidemiologic evidence indicates that African-Americans adults as well as adolescents have a disproportionately higher risk of AIDS and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection. While programs designed to increase self-protective behaviors are urgently needed to avert a further increase in HIV infection among this population, there is little understanding of African-American sociocultural factors that may influence the acceptance of HIV information and the adoption of HIV-preventive behaviors. This paper describes African-American cultural values and mores which may be related to risk-taking behavior. Barriers to the effective dissemination of HIV prevention education are identified and strategies that may be effective in surmounting these barriers and implementing culturally-appropriate HIV behavioral modification programs are described.
