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Low prospects and high risk: structural determinants of health associated with sexual risk among young African American women residing in resource-poor communities in the south.

Authors :
Raiford JL
Herbst JH
Carry M
Browne FA
Doherty I
Wechsberg WM
Source :
American journal of community psychology [Am J Community Psychol] 2014 Dec; Vol. 54 (3-4), pp. 243-50.
Publication Year :
2014

Abstract

African American women at increased risk of HIV/sexually transmitted infection (STI) may engage in risky sex as a coping mechanism for depressed economic conditions. This study examines the association between high-risk sexual behavior and structural determinants of sexual health among a sample of young African American women. 237 young African American women (16-19 years old) from economically disadvantaged neighborhoods in North Carolina were enrolled into a randomized trial testing the efficacy of an adapted HIV/STI prevention intervention. Logistic regression analyses predicted the likelihood that young women reporting lack of food at home, homelessness and low future prospects would also report sexual risk behaviors. Young women reporting a lack of food at home (22 %), homelessness (27 %), and low perceived education/employment prospects (19 %) had between 2.2 and 4.7 times the odds as those not reporting these risk factors of reporting multiple sex partners, risky sex partners including older men and partners involved in gangs, substance use prior to sex, and exchange sex. Self-reported structural determinants of sexual health were associated with myriad sexual risk behaviors. Diminished economic conditions among these young women may lead to sexual risk due to hopelessness, the need for survival or other factors.

Details

Language :
English
ISSN :
1573-2770
Volume :
54
Issue :
3-4
Database :
MEDLINE
Journal :
American journal of community psychology
Publication Type :
Academic Journal
Accession number :
25134798
Full Text :
https://doi.org/10.1007/s10464-014-9668-9