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Reframing Sexual Health for Black Girls and Women in HIV/STI Prevention Work: Highlighting the Role of Identity and Interpersonal Relationships

Author

Listed:
  • Ijeoma Opara

    (Yale School of Public Health, Yale University, New Haven, CT 06510, USA)

  • Jasmine A. Abrams

    (School of Public Health, Boston University, Boston, MA 02118, USA)

  • Kristina Cross

    (School of Social Welfare, Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, NY 11794, USA)

  • Ndidiamaka Amutah-Onukagha

    (Department of Public Health, School of Medicine, Tufts University, Boston, MA 02111, USA)

Abstract

While Black girls and women are disproportionately impacted by sexual health disparities, there continues to be an overwhelming focus on individual risk behaviors within prevention initiatives, which offers a fragmented narrative of the multidimensional nature of risk and plausibly limits effectiveness of prevention programs and attenuates reductions in disparities. Because sexual health is experienced within an individual’s beliefs/values, interpersonal relationships, and behaviors and reflects larger social and cultural systems, it is important to critically examine common theories used to inform HIV/STI prevention interventions for Black women and girls. To fill this gap in the literature, we critique two commonly used theories in HIV/STI prevention interventions, namely the social cognitive theory and the theory of gender and power, by highlighting theoretical and practical strengths and weaknesses. We propose research implications that incorporate key strengths of the two theories while adding new concepts grounded in the intersectionality theory. The overall goal is to introduce a more comprehensive conceptual model that is reflective of and applicable to the multidimensional sexual experiences of Black girls and women within the evolving definition of sexual health and behavior.

Suggested Citation

  • Ijeoma Opara & Jasmine A. Abrams & Kristina Cross & Ndidiamaka Amutah-Onukagha, 2021. "Reframing Sexual Health for Black Girls and Women in HIV/STI Prevention Work: Highlighting the Role of Identity and Interpersonal Relationships," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(22), pages 1-14, November.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:18:y:2021:i:22:p:12088-:d:681821
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Cited by:

    1. Opara, Ijeoma & Lizarraga, Ashley & Lardier, David T. & Herrera, Andriana & Garcia-Reid, Pauline & Reid, Robert J., 2022. "What happens when we ask? A phenomenological focus group on HIV prevention and sexual health education among emancipated foster care youth," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 140(C).

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