The Effects of Aids in the African American Communities, Research Paper Example

Abstract

African Americans are contracting the HIV/AIDS virus at an alarming rate. Black males made up 65% of the new infections in 2008 and were about six times more likely to become infected than other ethnic backgrounds. Black women are primarily at risk and research shows that it may be because of cultural beliefs and a lack of information about the disease. In order to address the spread of the disease, there must be information, education and additional preventative measures for African Americans. Further studies should seek to address and understand the high prevalence of risky sexual behavior in order to learn more about slowing the progression of the disease.

HIV/AIDS Prevalence in African Americans

HIV/AIDS is a serious health concern for society in general. One particular sub-culture, African Americans has primarily been impacted by a disproportionate amount of new infections. When compared to Caucasians and Hispanics, African American men were found to have contracted 65% of the new cases of HIV/AIDS in 2008, which places them at six times higher than other racial ethnicity for becoming infected (CDC HIV/AIDS, 2010). The number of black women infected was reported as 15 times higher than that of white or Hispanic women (CDC HIV/AIDS, 2010). Along with devastating effects to those in the sub-culture, the epidemic proportions of new infections negatively affect society as a whole. This paper will explore the background of HIV/AIDS, prevention, and impact of the disease in the African American sub-culture.

Background of HIV for African Americans

While HIV/AIDS is not a new disease, it is theorized that the reason that it is near an epidemic amongst African Americans is because of the warnings and push of prevention toward Caucasian homosexual males in years past. Some speculate that African Americans falsely believed that they were not at risk, which facilitated today’s high level of infections.

The prevalence of HIV/AIDS infection rates in African Americans are multifaceted and have been attributed to many factors. Because black women are at an increased risk, research has been conducted as to the reasons behind the high infection rate. Bersch & DiRamio note that the cultural differences may be to blame, as it is common that black women theorize that they should put their sexual partner’s feelings before their own (2010). What this suggests is that these women would not ask their partner to wear a condom or practice safe sex as that would decrease the enjoyment of his experience. Other factors such as lack of education, low self-esteem and oppressive social environments could lead to a decrease in self-protection.  Research has shown that individuals in neighborhoods that are riddled by unemployment, substance abuse, violence and poverty are at an increased risk of sexually transmitted diseases (McGruder, 2008).

A lack of information or education about the spread or contraction of HIV/AIDS is noted amongst African Americans. Fogel, Fajiram and Morgan speculate that African Americans may have more difficulty talking to their health care provider about their medical conditions. This could also relate to the spread of the disease as they have difficulty asking for testing or treatment, therefore spreading the disease to other sexual partners (2010). Some theorize that African Americans are still struggling for equality and may also feel the effects of discrimination of health care providers (Macionis, 2008). This may be especially true when dealing with a sexually transmitted disease that is difficult to discuss or admit and therefore hinder treatment/prevention.

Prevention Challenges

Much of the research regarding the disproportionate numbers of HIV/AIDS in the African American culture has addressed risky sexual behavior, as well as IV drug use; however there is a lack of research addressing the reasons for the behavior (McGruder, 2009). Future research of preventive measures that address the reasoning or environmental issues that led to risky behavior may slow the progression of the disease. That could possibly reduce the engagement in sexually risky behaviors, such as unprotected sex and multiple partners which is noted as a high risk for contracting the disease.

Increasing educational awareness is the key to prevention, especially since research suggests that there is a lack of knowledge amongst black females (Mallory, Harris & Stampley, 2009). Encouraging and dispelling beliefs that females should put their partners experience above their own health or protection should also be addressed. This could create more awareness and allow females to take more of an active role in practicing safe sex. Empowering women could slow the progression of the disease and prevent new infections.

Impact on Society

The obvious impact on society and the African American sub-culture is the reduction of their quality of life due to increased numbers of HIV/AIDS. The disease can lead to death and has been estimated to have caused at least half of the African American deaths. The spread of the disease is also costing society through health care costs. The treatment, medical needs and medications are enormously expensive to assist the patient in maintaining the best health possible. Because of the expense many find themselves on public health insurance, which raises taxes and increases costs to the working public. Other factors that impact society is the spread of the disease due to a lack of knowledge of the disease or spreading it to others through unprotected sexual activity or drug use.

Conclusion & Opinion

In conclusion, HIV/AIDS is a devastating disease that can be slowed with appropriate knowledge, information and opportunities to everyone, regardless of ethnic background. I believe that research should be focused on the reasons behind the risky behavior or lack of regard for self-protection by black females. While gearing education toward high risk groups is important, it is equally vital to learn more about the reasons behind individual’s behavior. Perhaps providing HIV/AIDS testing to those that have difficulty or limited access to medical treatment will increase earlier diagnosis and treatment. This epidemic must be addressed to ensure that the African American culture is protected and the spread of the disease is greatly reduced.

References

Fogel, J., Fajiram, S., & Morgan, P. D. (2010). Sexual Health Information Seeking on the Internet: Comparisons between White and African American College Students. ABNF Journal, 21(4), 79-84.

HIV/AIDS and African Americans. CDC HIV/AIDS. (2010, September 9). Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Retrieved June 6, 2011, from http://www.cdc.gov/hiv/topics/aa/

McGruder, K. (2009). Black Sexuality in the U.S.: Presentations as Non-normative. Journal of African American Studies, 13(3), 251-262.

Macionis, J. J. (2008). Sociology (12th ed.). Upper Saddle River, N.J.: Pearson Education.

Mallory, C., Harris, G., & Stampley, C. (2009). Midlife African-American women’s protective and risky practices related to HIV. Journal of Advanced Nursing, 65(6), 1248-1258.