Determinants of HIV and AIDS among young African-American men who have sex with men: a public health perspective.

ABSTRACT

This study was an examination of community, age, race and ethnicity. Individual behavior and health promotion was critically examined within the context of (HIV) Human Immunodeficiency Virus and AIDS (Acquired Immuno Deficiency Syndrome) among young African-American men who have sex with men. Examples from the literature provided empirical illustrations of how these concepts have been defined conceptually and measured with respect to HIV/AIDS; particularly among this population from a public health perspective. Additionally, a conceptual model depicting the interplay of these concepts was reviewed and is provided and discussed to shed further light on the conceptual link between these concepts and healthy behaviors among sexually active African-American young men who have sex with men. The concepts are discussed in an integrative format throughout the paper within the backdrop of the proposed model for understanding the wave of HIV/AIDS within this subculture from a public health nursing perspective.