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Social context of sexual relationships among rural African Americans.
Sexually Transmitted Diseases 2001;28(2):69-76.
Adimora AA, Schoenbach VJ, Martinson FE, Donaldson KH, Fullilove RE, Aral
SO.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Reasons for the strikingly increased rates of HIV and other sexually
transmitted infections (STIs) among African Americans in the rural Southeastern
United States remain unclear. Investigators have devoted little attention
to the potential influence of the social and economic context on sexual behaviors.
GOAL: To examine the potential influence of these contextual factors on behaviors
that promote the transmission of STIs. STUDY DESIGN: Focus group interviews
in which African Americans from rural North Carolina discussed life in their
communities and contextual factors affecting sexual behavior. RESULTS: Respondents
reported pervasive economic and racial oppression, lack of community recreation,
boredom, and resultant substance abuse. Many perceived a shortage of black
men because of their higher mortality and incarceration rates compared with
whites, and believed this male shortage to be partly responsible for the
concurrent sexual partnerships that they perceived as widespread among unmarried
persons. CONCLUSION: Contextual features including racism, discrimination,
limited employment opportunity, and resultant economic and social inequity
may promote sexual patterns that transmit STIs.