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Oser CB, Pullen E, Stevens-Watkins D, Perry BL, Havens JR, Staton-Tindall M, Leukefeld CG. African American women and sexually transmitted infections: The contextual influence of unbalanced sex ratios and individual risk behaviors. JOURNAL OF DRUG ISSUES 2016; 47:543-561. [PMID: 28983125 DOI: 10.1177/0022042616678610] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
Abstract
This study uses data from 564 African American women to examine the correlates of lifetime prevalence of a sexually transmitted infection (STI). Specifically, we test the effects of perceptions about the availability of African American males, five partner characteristics, and drug history. At the bivariate-level, women with an STI diagnosis were significantly more likely to have dated a man who was married, older, had sex with another man, involved in concurrent partnerships, and had been incarcerated. About half of the participants stated it was difficult to find an eligible African American male and attributed the limited pool of same-race partners to drug trafficking, a lack of monogamy, and high rates of incarceration. Multivariate analyses revealed having dated a man who had concurrent sexual partnerships or had been incarcerated, as well as drug use during sex were positively associated with ever having an STI. Individual and contextual implications are addressed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carrie B Oser
- Department of Sociology, Center on Drug and Alcohol Research, University of Kentucky, Lexington, Kentucky, USA
| | - Erin Pullen
- Indiana University Network Science Institute, Bloomington, Indiana, USA
| | - Danelle Stevens-Watkins
- Department of Educational, Counseling, and School Psychology, Center on Drug and Alcohol Research, University of Kentucky, Lexington, Kentucky, USA
| | - Brea L Perry
- Department of Sociology, Indiana University, Bloomington, Indiana, USA
| | - Jennifer R Havens
- Department of Behavioral Science, Center on Drug and Alcohol Research, University of Kentucky, Lexington, Kentucky, USA
| | - Michele Staton-Tindall
- College of Social Work, Center on Drug and Alcohol Research, University of Kentucky, Lexington, Kentucky, USA
| | - Carl G Leukefeld
- Department of Behavioral Science, Center on Drug and Alcohol Research, University of Kentucky, Lexington, Kentucky, USA
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Nehl EJ, Klein H, Sterk CE, Elifson KW. Prediction of HIV Sexual Risk Behaviors Among Disadvantaged African American Adults Using a Syndemic Conceptual Framework. AIDS Behav 2016; 20:449-60. [PMID: 26188618 DOI: 10.1007/s10461-015-1134-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
The focus of this paper is on HIV sexual risk taking among a community-based sample of disadvantaged African American adults. The objective is to examine multiple factors associated with sexual HIV risk behaviors within a syndemic conceptual framework. Face-to-face, computer-assisted, structured interviews were conducted with 1535 individuals in Atlanta, Georgia. Bivariate analyses indicated a high level of relationships among the HIV sexual risks and other factors. Results from multivariate models indicated that gender, sexual orientation, relationship status, self-esteem, condom use self-efficacy, sex while the respondent was high, and sex while the partner was high were significant predictors of condomless sex. Additionally, a multivariate additive model of risk behaviors indicated that the number of health risks significantly increased the risk of condomless sex. This intersection of HIV sexual risk behaviors and their associations with various other behavioral, socio-demographic, and psychological functioning factors help explain HIV risk-taking among this sample of African American adults and highlights the need for research and practice that accounts for multiple health behaviors and problems.
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Williams M, Bowen A, Atkinson JS, Nilsson-Schönnesson L, Diamond PM, Ross MW, Pallonen UE. An assessment of brief group interventions to increase condom use by heterosexual crack smokers living with HIV infection. AIDS Care 2011; 24:220-31. [DOI: 10.1080/09540121.2011.597707] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Mark Williams
- a College of Public Health and Social Work , Florida International University , Miami , FL , USA
| | - Anne Bowen
- b School of Nursing , University of Wyoming, School of Nursing , Laramie , WY , USA
| | - John S. Atkinson
- c School of Public Health , University of Texas Health Science Center , Houston , TX , USA
| | | | - Pamela M. Diamond
- c School of Public Health , University of Texas Health Science Center , Houston , TX , USA
| | - Michael W. Ross
- c School of Public Health , University of Texas Health Science Center , Houston , TX , USA
| | - Unto E. Pallonen
- e Center for Health Promotion and Prevention Research , University of Texas Health Science Center , Houston , TX , USA
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Elifson KW, Klein H, Sterk CE. Factors associated with condom use among young adult ecstasy users. Int J Public Health 2010; 55:571-9. [PMID: 20517633 PMCID: PMC3733809 DOI: 10.1007/s00038-010-0155-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/20/2009] [Revised: 05/10/2010] [Accepted: 05/14/2010] [Indexed: 11/26/2022] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE This paper examines the prevalence of and the factors associated with condom use in a sample of 283 young adult ecstasy users. METHODS The study, which relied upon targeted sampling and ethnographic mapping, took place between 2002 and 2004. It entailed conducting two-hour-long, face-to-face interviews in the Atlanta, Georgia metropolitan area. RESULTS Condom use was inconsistent; only 35.2% of all sex acts were protected. Using multiple regression, five factors were related to condom use: race (Caucasians used condoms less than other groups), income (lower income = greater condom use), relationship status (persons involved in relationships reported less condom use than those who were not "involved"), multiple sex partners (multiple sex partners = more condom use), and condom use self-efficacy (higher efficacy level = more condom use). CONCLUSIONS Condom use rates were not optimal in this population. In particular, targeted interventions are needed for Caucasian ecstasy users. Intervention efforts ought to address relationship (in)fidelity as it pertains to engaging in safer sex practices, especially among persons involved in relationships. Intervention efforts also need to work to increase condom use self-efficacy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kirk W. Elifson
- Rollins School of Public Health, Emory University, Atlanta, USA
| | - Hugh Klein
- Kensington Research Institute, 401 Schuyler Road, Silver Spring, MD 20910, USA
| | - Claire E. Sterk
- Rollins School of Public Health, Emory University, Atlanta, USA
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When, where, why and with whom homeless women engage in risky sexual behaviors: A framework for understanding complex and varied decision-making processes. SEX ROLES 2009; 61:536-553. [PMID: 20485467 DOI: 10.1007/s11199-009-9610-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
Abstract
Impoverished women worldwide are at high risk for contracting HIV/AIDS. This study explores how homeless women make risky sex decisions and the role that alcohol and drugs play in this process. We analyze 56 in-depth qualitative descriptions of recent sexual episodes among 28 women living in shelters in Los Angeles, California, USA. The sample (age 18-63) was 46% African American, 21% Hispanic/Latina, and 21% white. Findings suggest that: (1) homeless women engage in multiple types of relationships and sexual behaviors; (2) emotion and attachment play critical roles in women's risky sex choices; and (3) the role of alcohol and drugs on such choices varies across relationship commitment. Understanding the complexity of sexual decision-making among this population has implications for developing successful risk reduction interventions.
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Elifson KW, Klein H, Sterk CE. Condom Use Self-Efficacy among Young Adult Ecstasy Users. JOURNAL OF DRUG ISSUES 2008. [DOI: 10.1177/002204260803800403] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
Relying upon a sample of 283 young adult ecstasy users, this research examines three primary research questions: How high/low are young adult ecstasy users' levels of condom use self-efficacy? How does condom use self-efficacy relate to actual condom use in this population? What factors underlie condom efficacy levels in this population? The study entailed face-to-face interviews that were completed with the use of computer-assisted structured interviews (i.e., CASI). Study participants were recruited in the Atlanta, Georgia metropolitan area between August 2002 and August 2004 using a targeted sampling and ethnographic mapping approach. Interviews took approximately two hours to complete. Condom use self-efficacy levels were found to be fairly high in this population. A strong, direct relationship was observed between condom use self-efficacy and actual condom use. Using a multiple regression approach, five factors were found to be predictive of greater condom use self-efficacy in this population. These were educational attainment, amount of communication in one's family of origin, having asked about one's most recent casual sex partner's HIV serostatus, no prior drug treatment, and level of self-esteem.
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Elifson KW, Klein H, Sterk CE. Predictors of sexual risk-taking among new drug users. JOURNAL OF SEX RESEARCH 2006; 43:318-27. [PMID: 17599253 DOI: 10.1080/00224490609552331] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/16/2023]
Abstract
We studied predictors of HIV-related sexual risk-taking among individuals who initiated the use of heroin or methamphetamine during the past 5 years. Many studies have linked drug use to HIV risk and most research has been based on samples of users with long-established drug careers. We conducted face-to-face interviews with 153 adult new drug users in Atlanta, GA. Drug use was not a statistically significant predictor of sexual risk, but gender, age, race, homelessness status, childhood neglect, level of paranoia, and level of (dys)functionality in handling disagreements were associated with the frequency of sexual risk-taking. We discuss the need to incorporate new drug users in HIV/AIDS and other health-related prevention and intervention programs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kirk W Elifson
- Georgia state University, Department of Sociology, University Plaza, General Classroom Building, Room 1041, Atlanta, GA 30303, USA.
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Mullings JL, Marquart JW, Carr T, Hartley DJ. Knowledge Is Not Always Power: HIV Risk Behavior and the Perception of Risk Among Women Prisoners. JOURNAL OF CORRECTIONAL HEALTH CARE 2004. [DOI: 10.1177/107834580401100105] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Janet L. Mullings
- College of Criminal Justice, Sam Houston State University, Huntsville, Texas
| | - James W. Marquart
- College of Criminal Justice, Sam Houston State University, Huntsville, Texas
| | - Tara Carr
- College of Criminal Justice, Sam Houston State University, Huntsville, Texas
| | - Deborah J. Hartley
- College of Criminal Justice, Sam Houston State University, Huntsville, Texas
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