Journal of Infectious Diseases & Therapy
Open Access

Abstract

Statement of Problem: Despite the widespread availability of testing and treatment opportunities, Black individuals living in the United States continue to disproportionately suffer from HIV and AIDS. It is the intention of this paper to understand this disproportionate risk. Methodology: Community-Based HIV Testing and Awareness for Minority Populations (CHAMP) collected demographic data and information on sexual and other risk behaviors from 530 individuals living in historically Black communities of Miami-Dade County (MDC) who were subsequently tested for HIV. Results: We identified several behaviors that increased risk of HIV transmission among our female and male populations. These behaviors include sex for drugs, money or other items, men who have sex with men, sex with an anonymous partner, sex with an HIV-positive partner, sex with an anonymous partner, a greater number of sexual partners, history of sexual abuse, spending time in jail or prison, and intravenous drug use. Roughly half of our HIV-positive population were aware of HIV status at the time of testing. Further, among previously diagnosed participants, 60% reported having anal or vaginal sex without a condom and 40% reported having sex with an anonymous partner during the last 12 months. Discussion: CHAMP reported specific sexual behaviors placing Black females and males in MDC at risk for HIV transmission. With the information presented in the present study, it is clear that behavioral interventions that focus on HIV transmission and treatment, targeting both HIV-positive and HIV-negative individuals, needs to be a public health priority.

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