Exploring Factors Associated with Declining HIV Diagnoses Among African American Females

Black Adolescent Females' Perceptions of PrEP for HIV Risk Reduction

Preexposure prophylaxis (PrEP) for human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) prevention is approved for use in adolescents, though uptake remains low. Black adolescent females experience higher rates of HIV transmission compared to adolescent females of other racial/ethnic groups. Increasing PrEP awareness and education among this population may be an effective strategy to mitigate disparities in HIV transmission among Black adolescent females. Twenty-seven Black adolescent females participated in focus groups which were coded using the constant comparative method of qualitative analysis to identify major themes: (1) PrEP is not commonly framed as an HIV prevention strategy for heterosexual Black adolescent females, (2) PrEP use among peers is perceived as mostly positive, (3) Adoption of PrEP among Black adolescent females is impeded by perceived barriers such as stigma, negative side effects, and adherence concerns. These findings may inform the development of targeted culturally tailored marketing and educational campaigns centered on Black heterosexual adolescent females to increase PrEP awareness and uptake in this population disproportionately affected by HIV.

Advances in research of HIV transmission networks

Transmission network analysis is a crucial evaluation tool aiming to explore the characteristics of the human immunodeficiency virus epidemic, develop evidence-based prevention strategies, and contribute to various areas of human immunodeficiency virus/acquired immunodeficiency syndrome prevention and control. Over recent decades, transmission networks have made tremendous strides in terms of modes, methods, applications, and various other aspects. Transmission network methods, including social, sexual, and molecular transmission networks, have played a pivotal role. Each transmission network research method has its advantages, as well as its limitations. In this study, we established a systematic review of these aforementioned transmission networks with respect to their definitions, applications, limitations, recent progress, and synthetic applications.

Correlates of HIV Transmission Behaviors and HIV Testing in Predominately African American/Black Women with High-Risk Male Sex Partners

This study was conducted among predominately African American/Black women, aged 18-29, in Northeast cities with high HIV prevalence. Demographic, behavioral, and partner characteristics associated with condomless vaginal and anal sex acts with high-risk partners (CVS-HRP and CAS-HRP) and with HIV testing were explored. The high-risk sample was largely recruited online. Of 4972 women screened, 2254 (45.3%) were high-risk for HIV acquisition; 2214 were included. Bivariate and stepwise multivariate logistic regression models were fit. After adjusting for other factors, sex risk behavior did not differ by race and ethnicity. CAS-HRP was associated with believing condoms don't reduce HIV risk and with several high-risk behaviors, including; alcohol use, multiple partners, and sex with men who had sex with men, but, not with HIV testing. Half the sample had condomless sex with partners who never HIV tested and were themselves three times as likely to have never tested. These results point to the ongoing need for effective prevention strategies among at-risk heterosexual women.

US Regional Changes in Racial/Ethnic Disparities in HIV Diagnoses Among Women in the United States, 2012 and 2017

Racial/ethnic and geographic disparities in HIV diagnosis rates exist among women in the United States. Black/African American women are disproportionately affected; rates are highest in the South and Northeast. Monitoring progress towards eliminating disparities in HIV diagnosis rates among women is a national HIV prevention goal. To illustrate the performance of different measures of disparities, we compared 2012 and 2017 HIV diagnosis rates among adult and adolescent females by race/ethnicity and geographic region. We used HIV surveillance data for diagnoses and five absolute and three relative measures of disparity. The absolute disparity decreased in each region; the relative disparity decreased with the exception of one measure in the Northeast and South. Despite progress, disparities in HIV diagnosis rates among women remain. Appropriate strategies to measure progress and contextualize findings are needed.