Knowledge of HIV/AIDS and Attitudes towards Condom Use among African American Men Ages 18 to 35

Abstract

Background: Of all racial/ethnic groups in the United States young African Americans are the most impacted by HIV/AIDS, including rates of new infections and deaths.Purpose: To determine whether attitude towards condom use differed according to knowledge of HIV/AIDS and demographics such as age, education, income, length of relationships, and years sexually active.Methods: A cross-sectional quantitative study of 162 young African American men aged 18 to 35 years from an urban geographic area.Data collection: Demographic and survey data was collected from a metropolitan hospital in northern New Jersey and other local faith-based organizations where young African American men congregate or program network. A ten question paper and pencil survey tool was developed from the Multidimensional Condom Attitude scale; the HIV Knowledge Questionnaire scale; and, the National Sexual Health Survey.Data analysis: Three hypotheses were tested with correlation statistics. The fourth involved hierarchical multiple linear regression to investigate the ability of HIV/AIDS knowledge to predict attitude towards condoms, after controlling for age, income, years sexually active, education and length of relationship.Findings: Pearson r analyzed the relationship among the variables since it is sensitive to linear relationships. A positive relationship was found between attitude toward condom use scores with age (r=0.20, p=0.00), income (r=0.29, p=0.000), and knowledge of HIV/AIDS (r=0.39, p=0.000). Younger African American men with less years of sexual activity (r=-0.23, p=0.00) and less knowledge of HIV/AIDS were negatively related to condom use. An independentsample t-test also revealed a significant difference in attitude towards condom use based on the participants’ age group, t(160)=-2.58, p=0.011). The mean attitude score for the 18-24 age group was 19.42, (SD=4.54); for the 24-35 age group it was 21.53, (SD=5.80). Beta values were significant for HIV/AIDS (β=0.28, p=0.002), income (β=0.31, p<0.03), and number of years sexually active (β=-0.38, p=0.000).Implications: Educational programs and community outreach are needed for the younger African American male to prevent HIV/AIDS and other opportunistic infections by increasing their knowledge and improving their attitudes towards condom use.