| Abstract: | African Americans and Latinos account for 29% and 16%, respectively, of persons with AIDS, yet collectively represent less than 20% of the US population. Although rates of HIV transmission have slowed among gay Anglo men, there is less evidence to indicate that patterns of transmission have been altered among Black and Hispanic drug users. Risk factors for HIV transmission among drug users are described, and sociocultural aspects of these risk behaviors are discussed. The advantages and disadvantages of various approaches to reducing the spread of HIV among drug users and their associates are considered, particularly as they apply to ethnic–racial minorities. Brief examples are provided of how existing theories of behavior change can be applied in Hispanic and African-American communities. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved) |
