Acculturation, alcohol consumption and AIDS-related risky sexual behavior among African American women
Hines, A.M.; Snowden, L.R.; Graves, K.L.
Women and Health 27(3): 17-35
1998
ISSN/ISBN: 0363-0242 PMID: 9698635 DOI: 10.1300/j013v27n03_02Document Number: 275602
This study examined the relationship between acculturation, alcohol consumption and AIDS-related risky sexual behaviour in a national probability sample of 533 African American women. Results indicated that women who were the heaviest drinkers were also the least acculturated. However, women most likely to engage in risky sexual behaviour, including having multiple partners, being nonmonogamous or in a nonmonogamous relationship and being nonmonogamous or in a nonmonogamous relationship and not using a condom consistently, were high in acculturation rather than low. Alcohol use proved related to risky sexual behaviour when considered in conjunction with respondents' level of acculturation. Women at risk for contracting AIDS were not low acculturated African American women who drank heavily, but high acculturated African American women. Findings from this study extend our understanding of risk and contain implications for research and prevention efforts in the area of alcohol use and AIDS-related sexual behaviour among African American women.