Methods: This quantitative study of 162 AA men ages 18 to 35 years old from an urban geographic area in North Jersey utilized two 5-item questionnaires developed by the researcher that measured attitudes towards condom use and knowledge of HIV/AIDS.
Results: Hierarchical multiple regression investigated the ability of HIV/AIDS knowledge to predict attitude towards condoms, after controlling for age, income, years of sexually active, education and length of relationship. HIV/AIDS Knowledge had a Beta value of (β = .28, p = .002). Number of years sexually active (β = -.38, p = .000) and income (β = .31, p < .03) had higher Beta values. An independent-sample t-test revealed a significant difference in attitude towards condom use based on the participants’ age group, t(160) = -2.58, p = .011). Participants in the age group 18-24 had a mean score of 19.42, (SD = 4.54), and the age group 24-35 had a statistically significant higher mean score of 21.53, (SD = 5.80).
Conclusion: This study provided information about AA men’s vulnerability to HIV/AIDS and the contributing factors that have impacted the high prevalence rate of HIV/AIDS in this population. AA young men are disproportionately affected by HIV infection and are at risk for increased mortality and morbidity due to socioeconomic factors, such as lack of access to healthcare and lower educational accomplishments (CDC, 2011; CDC, 2013).
In addition, this study found that young AA men had decreased knowledge of HIV/AIDS and negative attitudes towards condom use. Educational programs that dispel myths and misconceptions about condom use may provide a fertile starting point to increase knowledge and improve attitudes towards condom use in this younger, understudied population.