Culture, Sex & Perceptions of HIV Risk among Ethnic Groups from the African Diaspora

Purpose: Much of the epidemiological data of HIV infection trends among black men and women in the United States is reported using historical racial classifications only. There is a dearth of comparative studies that examine cultural identity across immigrant groups and across different societies of the African Diaspora. An understanding of the influence of cultural identity within the context of HIV risk behavior and culture-specific factors among African-American, Black-Caribbean and African groups is absent. With a 30 year migration history and opportunities to maintain strong cultural traditions through travel and communication, levels of acculturation and adaptation may vary across foreign born, first generation and second generation black men and women who identify as African-American, Black-Caribbean or African in the US, thereby leaving precise intraethnic and interethnic similarities and variations in HIV risk factors unknown. The purpose of this study is to explore interactions between cultural identity, cultural concepts of sexual behavior, sexual communication, gender roles, perceptions of risk for HIV infection and culture-specific factors among adult men and women who reside in the US and identify as African-American, Black-Caribbean or African.

Methods: African-American, Black-Caribbean and African men and women between the ages of 18-55 years were recruited via ads placed on Facebook and Craigslist. Participants completed an online questionnaire that collected data on cultural identity, cultural concepts of sexual behavior, sexual communication, gender roles, perceptions of risk for HIV infection and culture-specific factors.

Results: Descriptive statistics, bivariate analysis and ANOVA was used to analyze data.  The analysis was completed using Statistical Packages for the Social Sciences (SPSS) version 22.

Conclusion: Knowledge of cultural variations of identity and factors that influence HIV risk will provide valuable insight to the HIV epidemic affecting Black populations in the US.