Educated and At-risk: How the Shortage of Available Male Partners Influences Hiv Risk for Unmarried College-educated African-american Women Ages 25-34
Open Access
- Author:
- Newsome, Valerie Renee
- Graduate Program:
- Biobehavioral Health
- Degree:
- Doctor of Philosophy
- Document Type:
- Dissertation
- Date of Defense:
- April 03, 2013
- Committee Members:
- Collins O Airhihenbuwa, Dissertation Advisor/Co-Advisor
Collins O Airhihenbuwa, Committee Chair/Co-Chair
Lori Anne Francis, Committee Member
Gary King, Committee Member
Shedra Amy Snipes, Committee Member
Edgar Paul Yoder, Committee Member - Keywords:
- HIV
Culture
Health
African-American
Women
Sex
Condom Use - Abstract:
- This dissertation examined how perceptions of low availability of male partners in the African-American community influences HIV risk behavior in unmarried, college-educated African-American women ages 25-34, an understudied group. This study was conducted in two phases; the first phase consisted of a pilot study utilizing focus group and anonymous pen and paper survey. This pilot study was conducted to explore the socio-cultural and contextual factors associated with HIV risk behavior among a sample of 10 unmarried, college-educated African-American women between the ages of 25-34 through focus group discussion. The second purpose of the pilot study was to test the use of a survey designed for use with low-income young African-American women on a college-educated, age 25-34 population. Through analysis of focus group responses four themes emerged. Using the PEN-3 Cultural Model the positive, existential (unique), and negative influences of the following themes were reported: Limited pool of available male partners, Pressure to get married, Feelings of competition among women for male partners, and Men’s negotiating power in relationships. The second phase consisted of a study utilizing a national internet-based survey sample for quantitative analyses to generate findings that resulted in a new scale that can be used to measure perceptions of limited partner availability (Perceived Partner Availability Scale) as experienced by unmarried, college-educated African-American women. Pearson correlations were used to investigate associations between perceptions of limited partner availability and condom use and sexual risk behavior. A Hierarchical Logistic Regression model was used to identify variables that may predict non-condom use in college-educated African-American women ages 25-34. Future directions for perceived partner availability and it’s impact on HIV vulnerability and are discussed. In Paper 3, A Hierarchical Logistic Regression Model was used to identify variables that may predict non-condom use in African-American college-educated women ages 25-34, specifically those who are not currently in committed relationships. Suspecting or Knowing that your current partner has other sexual partners predicted a greater likelihood of condom use at last sex act in this group. This study presents context for decision-making around condom use and non-condom use among this group of women. Demographic and HIV risk behavior profiles of the participants’ male partners were generated based on participant reports. Risk behavior associated with “man sharing” is also discussed. Future directions for HIV prevention research and intervention are presented.