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Neighborhood Environments and Sexual Risk Behaviors for HIV Infection Among U.S. Women: A Systematic Review

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Abstract

Empirical evidence indicates that aspects of the neighborhood environment may affect HIV prevention efforts. Therefore, the neighborhood environment should be considered when implementing prevention interventions. However, much of the empirical evidence is derived from studies conducted among drug users, men, or adolescents. Such evidence may not be as applicable to adult women whose primary risk for HIV infection is via heterosexual sexual behavior. Therefore, a systematic review examining the relationship between neighborhood environments and HIV sexual risk behaviors among adult U.S. women was conducted. Three databases were searched for articles published in English in peer-reviewed journals between 1/1/1980 and 12/31/2016 meeting relevant criteria. Seven articles identified from the three databases or additional hand searches met inclusion criteria and were summarized. Findings were mixed with several studies indicating associations between neighborhood environments and HIV sexual risk behaviors. However, all summarized studies were cross-sectional. Longitudinal studies conducted among women are needed.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Epidemiology, Centers for Epidemiology and Environmental Health, Brown University School of Public Health, 121 South Main Street, Providence, RI, 02912, USA

    Chanelle J. Howe & Hayley Siegel

  2. Department of Behavioral and Social Sciences, Center for Health Equity Research, Brown University School of Public Health, Providence, RI, USA

    Akilah Dulin-Keita

Authors
  1. Chanelle J. Howe
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  2. Hayley Siegel
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  3. Akilah Dulin-Keita
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Correspondence to Chanelle J. Howe.

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Howe, C.J., Siegel, H. & Dulin-Keita, A. Neighborhood Environments and Sexual Risk Behaviors for HIV Infection Among U.S. Women: A Systematic Review. AIDS Behav 21, 3353–3365 (2017). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10461-017-1771-0

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