HIV African American

HIV infections in African American Males have been a national growing problem since the early 1990’s. According to CDC, In the United States, there are more than 1 million people living with HIV. 48 percent are afro American males. It estimate that around 1 million people in the United States will be diagnose with HIV in the up coming year with the lifetime risk of becoming infected is 1 in 16 for black males (CDC,2007).

There is growing concern about the disproportionate increase of HIV among afro American males ages 13-19 with low social- economic demographics ( ). Although, Poverty is a major contributor to the African American epidemic; the primary risk factors and the root of the problem that contribute to the increase is unprotected sex among heterosexual and male to male. The majority of these adolescent Afro- American males believe that they feel safe and have a long life ahead of them

The inability to use condoms is a major contributing factor to the Afro- American population thought the community. During the first two years of high school is a time that peer-influence can place these Afro American adolescent at high risk for unprotected sex. Having unprotected sex is an issue that has concerned health educator for many years. Given this problem, a Health Educator needs an intervention strategy that goes beyond education to increase condom use. Although, these Afro- American male are fully aware of the severity of the infection; there is a need to address the barriers that prevent them from using a condom during sex. According to the (National Institute of Health, 2007), a consistent use of condoms has been found to reduce the risk of HIV transmission by 87-95 percent. Healthy people 2010 25-11 objective...

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...age in small steps is what is desired among these students. This can be done by using a model and demonstrating condom wearing, condom removal in incremental easy steps by a health educator preferably of an African-American ethnicity. Also, using an afro American role model such as a NBA or NFL player that demonstrates the condom use behavior is good technique. To use positive reinforcement, a health educator could identify instance where the participant change a negative behavior to a positive behavior. Behavior change is influence by expectations, a participant will wear a condom because he is expected to protect from HIV. These behavior interventions among these afro American males can help them focus on use of condoms by continuing to provide accurate information, skills as it relates to condom use.