An exploratory study of African-American women infected with HIV/AIDS and risky sexual behaviors, 2000

This study examined the relationship between African American women diagnosed with HIV/AIDS and risky sexual behaviors. The aims of the study were: (1) to describe knowledge related to sexual transmission of HIV/AIDS; (2) to determine high-risk sexual behaviors; and (3) to discuss intervention needed to reduce risky sexual behaviors. The setting was Positive Impact, a non-profit agency located in Atlanta, Georgia that provides counseling to those diagnosed with HIV/AIDS. The sample consisted of 25 African American women between the ages of 18 to 50. The participants were given a 97-item questionnaire to asses demographics, knowledge about the sexual transmission of HIV/AIDS, and risky sexual behaviors. The data was analyzed using descriptive statistics and the chi-square goodness-of-fit test. The findings indicated that although the participants had a high level of knowledge about the sexual transmission of HIV/AIDS, they still engaged in risky sexual behaviors. The results are valuable for clinicians because it will aid in educating individuals about risky sexual behaviors. Also, it will be useful for developing intervention programs and implementing policies that may eventually decrease risky sexual behaviors and the spread of HIV/AIDS among African American women