AIDS-PREVENTION IN HIGH-RISK AFRICAN-AMERICAN WOMEN - BEHAVIORAL, PSYCHOLOGICAL, AND GENDER ISSUES

A three-year longitudinal intervention study was implemented to reduce high-risk drug and sexual behaviors in methadone-dependent African Am erican women. Participants were recruited from four inner-city methado ne maintenance programs and randomly assigned either to an eight-week peer counseling and leadership training group or to a control group. T he 107 trainees and 97 controls completed pretests and posttests at tw o, four, and seven months. This paper focuses on final data related to the subjects' sexual beliefs, attitudes, knowledge, and behaviors tha t put them at risk for HIV/AIDS. Reasons for not using condoms are cat egorized and discussed. Despite the women's awareness of the seriousne ss of AIDS, perceived powerlessness to negotiate condom use, negative attitudes about the use of condoms, influence of drugs, and unavailabi lity of condoms interfered with safer sex practices. The inability of education alone to prevent many high-risk sexual behaviors suggests th at more serious consideration be given to expanded distribution of con doms as well as needle exchange programs and legalization of illicit d rugs.