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International Journal of HIV and AIDS research
Page 26
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International Conference on
September 21-22, 2017 San Antonio, TX, USA
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Sexually Transmitted Diseases, AIDS and Parasitic Infections
Parasitology, Infectious Diseases, STDs and STIs
Indicators of sexual script development among young, sexually-active, substance-using
African American women
Statement of the Problem: The HIV epidemic in the US continues to disproportionately affect the health of
young, African American women. The focus here is on predictors of sexual scripts, which are roadmaps to sexual
decision making. The objective is to examine life experiences, normative beliefs, and cultural predictors of sexual
scripts that place young, sexually-active, substance-using, African American women (YSSAAW), a population
with significant vulnerability to HIV, at even greater risk of becoming HIV positive.
Methodology & Theoretical Orientation: Face-to-face, tablet-assisted, semi-structured interviews were
conducted with 30 YSSAAW in a private or public emergency department in Houston, TX, USA. Interviews were
professionally transcribed, then coded by a trained 3-member coding team. One interview was used to create the
codebook. Codes were organized into primary themes during face-to-face meetings. Inter-coder reliability was
assessed and confirmed using Cohen’s Kappa statistics, demonstrating a nearly perfect agreement between coders
1 and 2 (K=0.93).
Findings: Three primary themes were described as predictors of sexual scripts: emotional wounds, norms, and
decision making. Prevalent codes among YSSAAW within the emotional wounds theme included infidelity
(43.33%) and parental dynamics (56.67%). Under the norms theme, we found 66.7% of YSSAAW discussed
their communication norms and 30% disclosed cultural norms. Within the sexual decision making theme, we
gained relevant information and implications on relationship longevity and having an STI history among 46.67%
of the sample.
Conclusion & Significance: Primary indicators of high risk sex revealed sexual scripts that demonstrated
gender-based power differentials; thereby, supporting utility of a theoretical framework that includes the Sexual
Script Theory and the Theory of Gender and Power. The logic model illustrates how emotional wounds from
life experiences (i.e. trauma, abuse, abandonment) and socially acceptable norms establishes the sexual script of
YSSAAW; whereby, high risk sex is the most likely outcome relative to prevention strategies.
Biography
Mandy J Hill academic portfolio to date has demonstrated feasibility of HIV prevention through formative intervention work that is designed to meet the people
where they are, including the emergency department. Her current research agenda is to adapt efficacious interventions to varied settings where vulnerable popula-
tions at especially high risk for HIV infection can be accessed. Trained as a Clinical Researcher, she has advanced a prevention-based public health agenda within
a clinical environment. She published 22 peer reviewed manuscripts, of which 10 she first authored, in diverse areas addressing health disparities among minority
populations, coupled national and international presentations and extramural funding support from the CDC and the NIH through the American Psychological
Association and Centers for AIDS Research, as well as industry sponsored research. In summary, her expertise includes randomized clinical trial development
and implementation, and integrating public health-based prevention research into varied settings that include the emergency department.
Mandy J Hill
McGovern Medical School, USA