RESUMO
Although studies have consistently demonstrated that women at high risk for HIV and non-HIV sexually transmitted infections (STIs) tend to underestimate their individual risk, little is known about how women at risk perceive their community's HIV/STI risk. We explored perceptions of community HIV/STI risk among U.S. women living in areas with high poverty and HIV prevalence rates as part of a qualitative substudy of the Women's HIV SeroIncidence Study. Semi-structured focus groups were conducted. Data were coded and analyzed using the constant comparative method. Participants expressed the perception that their communities were at elevated HIV/STI risk, mostly due to contextual and structural factors such as lack of access to health care and education. Findings suggest that HIV prevention messages that target U.S. women at high risk for HIV may be strengthened by addressing the high perceived community HIV/STI risk driven by structural factors.
Assuntos
Negro ou Afro-Americano/psicologia , Infecções por HIV/etnologia , Infecções por HIV/psicologia , Conhecimentos, Atitudes e Prática em Saúde/etnologia , Hispânico ou Latino/psicologia , Áreas de Pobreza , Características de Residência/estatística & dados numéricos , Adulto , Negro ou Afro-Americano/estatística & dados numéricos , Feminino , Grupos Focais , Disparidades nos Níveis de Saúde , Hispânico ou Latino/estatística & dados numéricos , Humanos , Estudos Longitudinais , Prevalência , Pesquisa Qualitativa , Medição de Risco , Infecções Sexualmente Transmissíveis/etnologia , Infecções Sexualmente Transmissíveis/psicologia , Estados Unidos/epidemiologia , Adulto JovemRESUMO
Chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection may lead to liver cirrhosis, chronic liver disease, and liver cancer. Immunization rates are suboptimal among Asian Americans/Pacific Islanders (AAPIs), who remain disproportionately affected by these illnesses. We investigated socioecological factors affecting HBV prevention among 316 Vietnamese Americans in Atlanta, Georgia. Social and community support of HBV vaccination was associated with screening (OR=1.69, 95% CI [1.21,2.38]), vaccination (OR=1.89, [1.27,2.81]), and intent to vaccinate (OR=1.77, [1.13,2.78]). Misconceptions decreased screening likelihood (OR=0.67, [0.46,0.99]) and vaccination (OR=0.55, [0.35,0.86]). Those able to pay for medical treatment (OR=1.23, [1.01,1.50]) were also more likely immunized, and greater transportation access (OR=1.42, [1.07,1.87]) was associated with greater intention to vaccinate. Multi-level factors facilitated HBV vaccination in this population. Tailored, culturally appropriate communication strategies will positively influence immunization uptake.
