CAPSTONE (This is a REWRITE) (Behavior and Perceptions to High HIV rate among African Americans) 7 PAGES

Behavior and Perceptions to High HIV Rate among African Americans

Prospectus: Behavior and Perceptions to High HIV Rate among African Americans

Problem Statement

African Americans account for a higher portion of people living with HIV as compared to other ethnicities. Since the beginning of the epidemic, African Americans have been affected by HIV. While they account for 12% of the country’s population, 42% of African Americans are living with HIV (Derose et al., 2016). Among the African American population, bisexual men, gay, youth and African American women are the most affected. Research indicates that various challenges contribute to this epidemic. It includes, lack of awareness, smaller sexual networks, poor accessibility to healthcare and living in poverty. Comment by Angela: Use APA style Comment by Angela: Suggest using the standardized expressions reported by the CDC to characterize risk categories and modes of transmission. https://www.cdc.gov/hiv/library/reports/hiv-surveillance/vol-31/content/diagnoses.html#sex

In addition, multiple studies indicate that most women who have been infected with HIV reside in regions where there are no healthcare facilities (Rao et al., 2016). Numerous campaigns aiming to create awareness among African Americans about HIV/AIDS have been conducted. However, the trend remains the same despite these concerted efforts to reduce the spread of the disease. The African American population seems to continue engaging in behaviors that expose them to contracting the disease. Research indicates that heterosexual sex plays a significant role in the transmission of HIV in the African American community. Recent data indicate a significant decline in the rate and number of new diagnosis among African Americans. Comment by Angela: Citation Comment by Angela: citation

African American women account for the largest portion of new infections which is five times more that of Latin@ women, and 14 times that of Caucasian@ women. By the end of 2017, African American women accounted for the population with the highest number of HIV infections. African American women represented 26% of new HIV cases among African Americans. This represented a higher share of infections as compared to 12% and 16% among Latin@ and Caucasian@ women respectively (Shrage, 2016). About half of bisexual and gay youth was diagnosed with HIV were African American in 2016. This underscores the seriousness of the matter among young African Americans. Comment by Angela: What is the significance of the @ symbol? Comment by Angela: Citation? Comment by Angela: Citation? Where are you obtaining this information from? When you refer to bisexual and gay you, is this male, female or transgender youth?

Bisexual and gay African Americans have also been disproportion affected by HIV, accounting for about 40%of HIV diagnoses linked to same sex sexual contact. In 2018 for instance, same sex contact among males accounted for 59% new HIV diagnoses among the African American community. In particular, young bisexual men are most affected. Individuals between ages 13 years to 24 years accounting for 52% of all new HIV cases among this particular population (Rao et al., 2016). Multiple studies indicate that those diagnosed with HIV/AIDS among African Americans was bisexual men whom are younger as compared to other communities. Comment by Angela: This section is under-developedWho are you referring to when you describe “bisexual and gay?” – Male, female or transgender?The Rao paper is about the development of a stigma scale.

Purpose

This research study aims to utilize the quantitative research approach to develop a deeper understanding on the causes to why there is a high rate of HIV infections among the African American community. These studies will also explore various approaches that can be used to reduce the cases of HIV/AIDs in this particular community. This research will help to come up with new approaches that can be used to reduce the rate of HIV infections among African Americans. The analysis will be evaluated by age, sex, race and sexual orientation. Comment by Angela: What is your study aim? hypothesis Comment by Angela: What studies?

Significance Comment by Angela: No citation

In particular, HIV has been identified as a significant public health problem among the African American community in the United States. Previous studies have provided evidence that there is a higher rate of HIV infection among African Americans as compared to other racial groups in the country (Shrage, 2016). However, these studies have not delved deeper in evaluating factors that contribute to the increased infection rate among African Americans. The present study will focus in finding the link between the factors that have been identified in the previous studies and the increased rate of HIV infections in the community. This will provide extensive understanding of the problem which is critical for the development of mitigation strategies. Comment by Angela: spelling

For a long time now, researchers and healthcare professionals have been looking for ways in which they can reduce the rate of infections among the African American community. Some of the strategies that have been developed including educational programs have been partly effective (Nunn et al., 2019). Evaluating the factors that expose the African American community to HIV infections. It will develop new knowledge that can be used by healthcare professionals to innovate and come up with effective measure for addressing this significant health issue. In addition, this study will provide extensive knowledge on how members in society can behave to reduce the rate of HIV infections. Most African Americans engage in behaviors that expose them to HIV infections due to the lack of knowledge. However, this study will develop knowledge that will inform the general community on the importance of staying healthy and avoiding behaviors that could expose one to HIV infections. The findings of this study will change the perception of African Americans, especially young bisexuals that HIV is a disease that has no boundaries and can affect any one. Comment by Angela: This comment does not consider the role of social determinants of health. Comment by Angela: What is this source of information?

Background

1) Derose et al., (2016) reported that Stigma and Mistrust concerning HIV contributed to the high rates of the disease among African Americans. Community based, multifaceted efforts and interventions are required to address health disparities that exist in the United States.

2) Kerr & Jackson, (2016) indicated that resource depreciation, inequitable policing and stigma promote greater HIV risk for the African American community. The study found that drug war has marginalized African Americans and increases stigma for those who have been incarcerated and are living with HIV.

3) Ransome et al., (2020) noted that concurrent sexual partnerships which are common among the African Americans contribute to increased risk of HIV. High HIV infection rates among members of this community are driven by assortative mixing and higher HIV prevalence across sexual networks. Higher social capital were among men increases the risk of having several sex partners.

4) Moore & Belgrave, (2019) found that understanding gender differences can provide substantial information to healthcare workers on how to reduce rates of infections among African American communities. Despite increased campaigns to create awareness about HIV, more people still engage in behaviors that put them at the risk of contracting the disease.

5) Robinson et al., (2016) reported that mental illness and substance use plays a significant role in the high rate of HIV infections among African Americans. Substance abuse has been identified to be prevalent among African Americans. This makes it difficult for them to make informed decisions.

Conceptual Framework

The theoretical base provides the basis through which the research questions for this study will be answered and provide a positive or negative change. Despite the utilization of the awareness campaigns as well as educational programs, the rate of HIV infections among African Americans. It continues to increase, becoming a significant burden within the community. This increase can be attributed to risky behaviour, poverty, lack of healthcare facilities and substance abuse (Rao et al., 2016). The combination of these factors makes it even more difficult for researchers, scholars and healthcare professionals to come effective strategies to reduce the rate of HIV infection among African Americans (Nunn et al., 2019). It is therefore critical to develop new knowledge on how these factors interrelate and how they contribute to the increased rate of HIV infections among the black community in the United States. Thus, the research study focuses on developing an understanding of why there are high HIV/AIDS cases among African Americans despite the continued awareness and education on approaches to reduce risky behaviours that influence the spread of HIV. The following model shows the conceptual framework for high rate of HIV infections among African Americans. Comment by Angela: What is the conceptual framework or theoretical model that is guiding this work? Comment by Angela: Citation RAO is not sufficient

Links to higher HIV infections

Research Question(s) and Hypotheses (if applicable)

The following research questions will be answered to develop a precise understanding of the reason the rate of HIV among African Americans is high. 

RQ 1- Quantitative: Is there an association of risky behaviour among African Americans that contribute to the significant rates of HIV infection within the members of this community?

RQ 2- Quantitative: Is there an association of African American’s perception of HIV and AIDS contributed to the increased cases of HIV among the blacks?

Nature of the Study

Quantitative methodology will be used to help the researcher answer the research questions effectively. Case study research design will be used in this study to determine that factors that contribute to increased rates of HIV among African Americans. This is the most appropriate research design as it provides extensive information about a particular group and in this case on African Americans. Case study design is very effective in examining a phenomenon and providing significant information for improving practice (Ridder, 2017). As a result, the design is well aligned with this particular study. Comment by Angela: Will you be collecting data?

Possible Types and Sources of Data

Various types and sources of data will be used for this study. Both primary and secondary data sources will be utilized in this study. These sources will provide significant information that can be used to answer the research questions. Information published in scholarly articles will be retrieved from various online platforms including Google scholar, pubmed and the school library. Government websites will also be used to provide important information on the rate of HIV infections among Black Americans. Comment by Ariane: This is very unclear Comment by Angela: This is very unclear

Limitations, Challenges and or Barriers

One of the main limitations to this study is small sample size. This will make it difficult for the research findings to be generalized. In addition, the study may be affected by researcher bias. This bias is introduced by the subjectivity of the researchers. This study will also utilize case study research design which is expensive and time consuming (Ridder, 2017). The researcher may also experience the challenges of collecting accurate data. This is because some respondents may be biased and provided untruthful information. Due to the negative perception, the African American community has regarding the issue of HIV/AIDS. They may be forced to provide accurate data during the interview and in turn affecting the results of the research. Comment by Angela: What is the conceptual framework or theoretical model that is guiding this work?

References

Derose, K. P., Griffin, B. A., Kanouse, D. E., Bogart, L. M., Williams, M. V., Haas, A. C., ... & Oden, C. W. (2016). Effects of a pilot church-based intervention to reduce HIV stigma and promote HIV testing among African Americans and Latinos. AIDS and Behavior, 20(8), 1692-1705. Retrieved from https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s10461-015-1280-y

Kerr, J., & Jackson, T. (2016). Stigma, sexual risks, and the war on drugs: Examining drug policy and HIV/AIDS inequities among African Americans using the Drug War HIV/AIDS Inequities Model. International Journal of Drug Policy, 37, 31-41. Retrieved from https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0955395916302584

Moore, M. P., & Belgrave, F. (2019). Gender Differences in Predictors of HIV Testing Among African American Young Adults. Journal of racial and ethnic health disparities, 6(1), 189-196. Retrieved from https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007%2Fs40615-018-0513-y

Nunn, A., Jeffries, W. L., Foster, P., McCoy, K., Sutten-Coats, C., Willie, T. C., ... & Keefer, M. (2019). Reducing the African American HIV disease burden in the Deep South: addressing the role of faith and spirituality. AIDS and Behavior, 23(3), 319-330. Retrieved from https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s10461-019-02631-4

Ransome, Y., Cunningham, K., Paredes, M., Mena, L., Sutten-Coats, C., Chan, P., ... & Nunn, A. (2020). Social Capital and Risk of Concurrent Sexual Partners Among African Americans in Jackson, Mississippi. AIDS and Behavior, 24(7), 2062-2072. Retrieved from https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s10461-019-02770-8

Rao, D., Molina, Y., Lambert, N., & Cohn, S. E. (2016). Assessing stigma among African Americans living with HIV. Stigma and health, 1(3), 146. Retrieved from https://psycnet.apa.org/record/2016-09720-001

Ridder, H. G. (2017). The theory contribution of case study research designs. Business Research, 10(2), 281-305. Retrieved from https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s40685-017-0045-z

Robinson, A. C., Knowlton, A. R., Gielen, A. C., & Gallo, J. J. (2016). Substance use, mental illness, and familial conflict non-negotiation among HIV-positive African-Americans: latent class regression and a new syndemic framework. Journal of behavioral medicine, 39(1), 1-12. Retrieved from https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007%2Fs10865-015-9670-1

Shrage, L. (2016). African Americans, HIV, and mass incarceration. The Lancet, 388(10049), e2-e3. Retrieved from https://www.thelancet.com/journals/lancet/article/PIIS0140-6736(16)30830-3/fulltext

High HIV rate among African Americans

Lack of knowledge

Poverty

Lack of healthcare facilities

Risky Behavior