HIV/AIDS in Black WomenDana Hines, MSN, RN

Prepared for Nazarene Baptist ChurchWomen’s MinistrySeptember 2011

About Today…Informal-ask questions at any point during

the conversationEvery question counts so don’t be afraid to

askIf at any point you do not feel comfortable

discussing the topic or answering questions it’s okay not to participate

Small quizAction plan-we will break up into small

groups and outline strategies for prevention

Hard FactsThere are more than one million people living

with HIV in the United States. One in five (21%) people living with HIV in

this country do not know that they are HIV positive.

Each year there are more than 56,300 new infections

African American MenIn 2006, black men accounted for 65% of all

newly diagnosed cases of HIV among all blacks. The rate of new HIV infection for black men was

6 times as high as that of white men, nearly 3 times that of Hispanic/Latino men, and twice that of black women.

In 2006, black men who have sex with men (MSM)2 represented 63% of new infections among all black men,

In the same year, black MSM represented 35% of all new infections among all MSM.

African American WomenIn 2006, the rate of new HIV infection for

black women was nearly 15 times as high as that of white women and nearly 4 times that of Hispanic/Latina women

QuizAt some point in their lives 1 in ___black

women will be diagnosed with HIV?(a) 32 (b) 120 (c) 64(a) 32

By comparison 1 in __ black men will be diagnosed at some point in their lives?(a) 30 (b) 16 (c) 100(b) 16

What Do People Think?

What Do People Think?

Math QuizTrue or False:

15=0?4=0?6=0?3=0?

Chronic Diseases

Poverty

Unemployment

U.S. Population Map by Race

Risk Factors for HIVUnprotected sex with someone who is HIV

infected Multiple sexual partnersSharing IV needles with someone who is HIV

infectedLiving in a geographical area or

neighborhood that has a high rate of HIV infection

Poverty and being uninsured (50 million Americans)

HomelessnessLow-self esteemNot thinking that you are at risk

Viral Load Mapping

How do I know if I have HIV?Weight lossDry coughDrenching night sweatsSwollen lymph nodes in neck, under arms, in

groinThrush or white spots/patches in the mouth

on the tongueYeast infections that keep coming back

What were those symptoms again?How do I know if I have HIV infection?

GET TESTED

GET TESTED

GET TESTED

HIV Testing

Perspectives on HIV Testing“There are health clinics everywhere....that’s

not an excuse not to be checked. Its not just blacks its everyone...specially with the by racial relationships now days....we all need to be checked no matter what color we r”

“I have 4 the first time this yr. Was scared but i had 2 no n it was free. But going 2 have it done every yr now”

Personally I rather get the rapid test. I don't like needles & the results are faster.

Perspectives on HIV Testing

“True...There r free clinics out there u just have to do research people don’t want to take the time to .... believe me I am a nurse I have done a lot of research and studied on this subject....I no there are a lot of black women out there that are but u also have to think about the men to they care it also they also r careless just like all colors are careless”.

Conspiracy Theory“everything is a conspiracy. I don't know if I

believe it or not, either way people need to become educated & protect themselves”.

“Government has nothing to do with if they did what abt all the other transmitted diseases and cancer and all other illnesses we going to blame that on them to?....its all abt peoples stupidity and carelessness dnt point fingers at people when u control what happens in your life. U choice to be careless.....not anyone elses fault”.

Why do we get infected?

“HONESTLY BECUZ BARE FEELS BETTER......LOL.... I HAD TO BE THE BUTTHOLE..... BUT IT DOES ,JUST BEING HONEST AND PEOPLE GO OVERBOARD WITH THAT BEING SAID.... THEY THINK DEY CAN HIT EVERYTHING BARE... DAT SHOULD B SOME SHIT U SHOUDL ONLY DO WITH YOUR SIGNIFICANT OTHER AND YALL SHOULD BOTH B TESTED TOGETHER....”

“Because, we all lay with each other , with out rubbers, and don’t care right then, we worry about it later”

Why do we get infected?

“I agree with ___ to a point but careless sex is not the only way HIV is contracted. And not to make it a black and white thang but black women are contracting HIV at the highest rates so lack of insurance is an issue for black women”

“True I do agree u can contract it in different ways that’s also caused by carelessness also...they have clinics for all that to....just have to research it and like I said no one wants to take the time to do so”.

Why do we get infected?

“Ok ...let me just say I am a RN and worked at Planned Parenthood for a number if years where I have tested many people black and white for the disease. I agree carelessness is a factor but there are numerous of other factors. Like low income, lack of insurance, lack of education and fear. Also going back to the government conspiracy and HIV ...don't be so naive thinking that the government doesnt have a hand in the HIV crisis...we must not forget the Tuskeegee experiment where black men were purposely given Syphilis.....”

How do we stop getting infected?

IndividualTest early and oftenIf you are HIV+ enter care immediatelyTake medications as prescribed to prevent

infection of others

Community/SystemOffer job training and educational programs

decreases the chance of people engaging in survival sex

Offer HIV testing in non-traditional settings

What if I am HIV +Regular medical visitsMedications to keep viral load downGynecological exams to check for cervical

cancerWill my baby get HIV?

Is HIV/AIDS a death sentence?Rae-Lewis Thornton 1994

Rae Today!

Rae Lewis-ThorntonThe Face of AIDS

http://youtu.be/wO5Q4bMEK5Ahttp://youtu.be/rDlYampJJZg

Action PlanningHow can we stay safe?

What other measures are needed to prevent HIV infection in African American women?

What can churches do to help?

How can I talk to my partner about getting tested?

Evansville Testing SitesThe Vanderburgh County Health Department-

420 Mulberry St (812) 435-5683

Echo Community Health Care, Inc.501 John Street Suite 12Phone: (812) 421-7489

Matthew 25 AIDS Services452 Old Corydon Road Henderson, Kentucky 42420

Questions?

Thank You!

ReferencesHIV among African Americans:

http://www.cdc.gov/hiv/topics/aa/index.htmHIV in the United States:

http://www.cdc.gov/hiv/resources/factsheets/us.htmAn unhealthy America: The economic burden of chronic

disease: http://www.chronicdiseaseimpact.com/ebcd.taf?cat=index

CensusScope: http://www.chronicdiseaseimpact.com/ebcd.taf?cat=index

NYT: SF Maps HIV Viral Load by Neighborhood: http://mpetrelis.blogspot.com/2009/11/nyt-sf-maps-hiv-viral-load-by.html