Minority Predoctoral Fellowship Program

描述（由申请人提供）：美国疾病控制与预防中心最近的一份出版物发表了以下声明：“与工业化国家的任何其他人群相比，与男性发生性行为的非裔美国男性（MSM）可能会经历更高的[艾滋病毒]感染率。”事实上，根据美国疾病控制与预防中心最近的估计，每50个非洲裔美国人中就有一个感染了艾滋病毒。其中，37%是通过同性行为感染的。此外，研究一致表明，与白人男同性恋者相比，黑人男同性恋者的感染率更高；然而，许多研究也发现，两种人群的风险行为差异不大。鉴于这些因素，该出版物呼吁检查其他更复杂的变量。为了响应这一呼吁，本研究计划的目的是对黑人男性的性行为和性感染艾滋病毒的风险有更充分的了解。特别是，该研究主要采用定性方法，将试图进一步研究黑人男男性接触者对男性气概的观念和看法对其艾滋病毒性风险行为和风险认知的影响。通过焦点小组和一对一访谈，该研究将寻求检查男性气质和性身份的相互作用，以及这种相互作用如何影响这一人群的风险认知和艾滋病毒性风险行为。

DESCRIPTION (provided by applicant): A recent CDC publication made the following statement: "African American men who have sex with men (MSM) may experience higher rates of [HIV] infection than any other population in the industrialized world." Indeed, according to recent CDC estimates, one in 50 African American men are infected with the HIV virus. Of these, 37 percent were infected through same sex behavior. Furthermore, studies have consistently shown higher rates of infection among Black MSM as compared to White MSM; however many studies have also found that risk behavior may vary little between the two populations. In light of these factors, the publication called for the examination of other more complex variables. Responding to this call, the aims of this research proposal are to gain a more sound understanding of Black male sexual behavior and sexual risk for HIV infection. In particular, the research, using primarily qualitative methods, will attempt to examine further the influence of ideations and perceptions of masculinity among Black MSM on their HIV sexual risk behavior and risk perceptions. Engaging Black men through focus groups and one-on-one interviews, the research will seek to examine the interplay of masculinity and sexual identity and how this interplay affects risk perceptions and HIV sexual risk behavior in this population.