Individual, Social, and Structural Vulnerability for Black Women in the South: Implications for PrEP

Pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) is an effective biomedical HIV prevention option, yet adoption among Black women, who are disproportionately impacted by HIV, is low. A nuanced understanding of the multi-level factors that contribute to elevated risk is necessary to better contextualize PrEP uptake. Qualitative data from Black women residing in the Southern U.S. who self-screened as HIV-negative, were collected via four focus groups (N = 27) to understand influences on HIV vulnerability and the potential role of PrEP in mitigating risk. Content analysis of transcribed data yielded multiple themes addressing: the pervasiveness of sexual partner sharing; lack of transparency regarding HIV status, disclosure, and testing; and social/cultural influences on HIV risk. Experiences with the health care system and providers were of particular concern. Findings demonstrate support for PrEP in this population and contribute to our understanding of individual, social, and structural factors to better inform PrEP promotion.

Barriers to Condom Negotiation and Use Among Female Sex Workers in the United States and United States-Mexico Border Cities: A Systematic Review

Despite the effectiveness of male condoms, many Female Sex Workers (FSWs) report using condoms infrequently with multiple clients during sexual activity. As such, inconsistent condom use by FSWs is a public health concern as it can increase STI and HIV transmission. This systematic review synthesized extant evidence regarding barriers to condom use experienced by FSWs in the U.S and U.S. - Mexico border towns. The search was conducted through PubMed, CINAL, Cochrane, Medline, and PsychInfo. Studies were included if: they were conducted in the U.S. or U.S. - Mexico borders, their target population was FSWs, they examined condom use barriers experienced by FSWs, and they were published in English between 2011 and February 2021. Condom use barriers among FSWs were reported in all the articles including alcohol consumption and drug use before sex, venue stability, socio-economic status vulnerability, violence and gendered power dynamics, trust of regular clients, and age. The review findings indicate the need to develop interventions promoting condom use for both FSWs and their clients, as well as alternative interventions for HIV prevention such as pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP).

College Students Life Course Drawings And Their Descriptions

Drawing as a qualitative method has been employed to elicit views on aging. The subject matter of the drawings, without an explanation from participants, can be misinterpreted. Therefore, in this research, we explored college students’ drawings of the life course and the extent to which the content of these drawings corresponded to their written descriptions. A content analysis was performed on 524 college students’ life course drawings and their descriptions. Participants drew, on average, five life stages. The majority (75%) of the human beings represented were alone in each life stage. Twelve percent of the drawings were non-human representations of the life course (e.g., flower, tree). The majority of the images (85%) included in the drawings were not mentioned in the written descriptions, for example, hair changes (e.g., from long and straight to curly and short for women). Some physical characteristics (e.g., wrinkles [29%], hunched back [22%]) and some contexts (e.g., tombstones [37%], nursing home [100%]) were present in both the drawing and descriptions. Findings highlight which ideas associated with aging participants thought needed an explanation and which they might have seen as intrinsic to aging, warranting no explanation, emphasizing the importance of examining both drawn and written content when using drawing as a method in aging research. A more thorough and precise examination of the beliefs and perceptions of college students, who will serve as future professionals working with older adults, allows for the development of educational and engagement strategies that accurately target commonly held misperceptions regarding aging.