Abstract
Rates of HIV/AIDS are rising on the campuses of Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs). This paper examines the extent of these students’ knowledge of their sexual partners’ HIV risk behaviors and how their decision-making regarding sexual activity is shaped by this knowledge or lack of knowledge. Six focus groups were conducted with African American men and women attending HBCUs in the southeastern US. Commonality and divergence exist on the influences on African American male and female students’ HIV risk taking behaviors, including media, community, family, and religion. Participants in these focus groups indicated that engaging in discussions about HIV/AIDS could be detrimental to their relationships. The reluctance to engage in discussions about HIV/AIDS offers compelling evidence of the need to enhance the communication and negotiation skills of these students in order to reduce barriers to safer sex.
Article PDF
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Black colleges seek to stem HIV cases: stepping up safe-sex education after spike in infections. (2004, March 22). Retrieved June 2, 2004, from http://msnbc.msn.com/id/4556054.
Multicampus outbreak of HIV in North Carolina spurs quick state action: prevention, testing program targets black colleges. (2003). AIDS Alert, 18, 149 & 151–2.
Bazargan M., Kelly E.M., Stein J.A., Husaini B.A., & Bazargan S.H. (2000). Correlates of HIV risk taking behaviors among HIV knowledge, motivation, and behavioral skills. Journal of the National Medical Association, 92, 391–404.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). (n.d.). HIV/AIDS Update. A glance at the HIV epidemic. (Fact sheet). Atlanta, GA: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). (2002). HIV/AIDS among U.S. women: Minority and young women at continuing risk. Atlanta, GA: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). (2003). HIV/STD risks in young men who have sex with men who do not disclose their sexual orientation — Six U.S. cities, 1994–2000. Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report, 52, 81–5.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). (2004). Heterosexual transmission of HIV –29 states, 1999–2002. Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report, 53, 125–9.
Duncan, C., Miller, D.M., Borskey, E.J., Fomby, B., Dawson, P., & Davis, L. (2002). Barriers to safer sex practices among African American college students. Journal of the National Medical Association, 94, 944–51.
Foreman, F.E. (2003). African American college women: Constructing a hierarchy of sexual arrangements. AIDS Care, 15, 493–504.
Southern States AIDS/STD Directors Work Group (2003). Southern states manifesto—HIV/AIDS and STDs in the south: a call to action. Washington, DC: National Alliance of State and Territorial AIDS Directors.
Valentine, P.A., Wright, D.L., & Henly, G.L. (2003). Patterns of safer sex practices among allied health students at historically black colleges and universities. Journal of Allied Health, 32, 173–8.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Thompson-Robinson, M.V., Richter, D.L., Shegog, M.L. et al. Perceptions of partner risk and influences on sexual decision-making for HIV prevention among students at historically black colleges and universities. Journal of African American Studies 9, 16–28 (2005). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12111-005-1019-3
Published:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12111-005-1019-3