HIV Prevention and Heterosexual African American Women

Early in the epidemic, HIV infection and AIDS were diagnosed among relatively few women and female adolescents. Currently, women account for more than 25% of all new HIV/AIDS diagnoses in the U.S. Heterosexually acquired HIV/AIDS is the predominant route of transmission for African American women. Among African American women diagnosed with HIV/AIDS during 2001–2004, 78% contracted the infection via heterosexual contact.1,2 Unfortunately, African American women are being devastated by the HIV/AIDS epidemic. Thus, designing effective HIV prevention programs for this population is crucial. Theoretical frameworks are critical components of HIV prevention programs because they serve as guides for developing the core elements, vignettes, and activities of HIV prevention interventions.