SOCIODEMOGRAPHIC AND BEHAVIORAL-CHARACTERISTICS OF AFRICAN-AMERICAN WOMEN WITH HIV AND AIDS IN LOS-ANGELES-COUNTY, 1990-1997

African-American women have the highest AIDS rate of any racial/ethnic group of women in both Los Angeles County (LAC), California and in th e United States. Limited population-based epidemiologic studies of Afr ican-American women with HIV and AIDS describe this group and examine the factors associated with the excessive rates, interview data collec ted from 1990 to 1997 on a population-based sample of AIDS cases and a group of HIV-infected women in LAC were analyzed to highlight the soc iodemographic and behavioral characteristics of African-American women . This group of African-American women with HIV or AIDS in LAC were un employed (88%), single mothers (64%), living on public assistance (86% ) with annual household incomes <$10,000 U.S. (76%). A history of crac k use predominated (50%). Compared with women of other races with HIV and AIDS, African-American women reported more sexual partners; report ed more infections with sexually transmitted diseases; sought treatmen t for their HIV infection later; were more likely to trade sex; and we re almost five times more likely to have ever used crack cocaine. HIV prevention for African-American women in LAC should focus on improving self-esteem and negotiation skills within the context of the crack co caine culture and the disadvantaged social and economic situation desc ribed.