PERCEPTIONS OF AIDS SUSCEPTIBILITY AMONG MINORITY AND NONMINORITY WOMEN AT RISK FOR HIV-INFECTION

Two hundred seventy-two women sampled from mass transit waiting areas in an urban center completed anonymous surveys of AIDS-related risk behavior, perceptions of susceptibility, and knowledge. Variable patterns of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) risk behaviors were identified, with 22% of women reporting high-risk behavior. Perceptions of susceptibility were associated with an interaction between ethnicity and level of risk; nonminority women at high risk reported greater concern about AIDS than did minority women at high risk, who did not differ from women at low risk. With an array of life problems and inaccurate information about HIV transmission, minority women were found to be at continued risk for AIDS-related behavior. Implications for culturally sensitive and relevant AIDS prevention efforts are discussed.