ACCULTURATION, ALCOHOL-CONSUMPTION AND AIDS-RELATED RISKY SEXUAL-BEHAVIOR AMONG AFRICAN-AMERICAN WOMEN

The present study examined the relationship between acculturation, alc ohol consumption and AIDS-related risky sexual behavior in a national probability sample of 533 African American women. Results indicated th at women who were the heaviest drinkers were also the least acculturat ed. However, women most likely to engage in risky sexual behavior, inc luding having multiple partners, being nonmonogamous or in a nonmonoga mous relationship, and being nonmonogamous or in a nonmonogamous relat ionship and not using a condom consistently, were high in acculturatio n rather than low. Alcohol use proved related to risky sexual behavior when considered in conjunction with respondents' level of acculturati on. Women at risk for contracting AIDS were not low acculturated Afric an American women who drank heavily, but high acculturated African Ame rican women. Findings from this study extend our understanding of risk and contain implications for research and prevention efforts in the a rea of alcohol use and AIDS-related sexual behavior among African Amer ican women.