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：“与工业化世界中的任何其他人口相比，与男性性行为(MSM)发生性行为的非裔美国人可能会经历更高的[艾滋病毒]感染率。事实上，根据疾控中心最近的估计，每50名非洲裔美国人中就有一人感染了艾滋病毒。在这些人中，37%是通过同性行为感染的。此外，研究一直表明，与白人MSM相比，黑人MSM的感染率更高；然而，许多研究也发现，两种人群之间的危险行为可能差别不大。鉴于这些因素，该出版物呼吁对其他更复杂的变量进行研究。响应这一呼吁，这项研究提案的目的是更好地了解黑人男性的性行为和感染艾滋病毒的性风险。特别是，这项研究将主要使用定性的方法，试图进一步检查黑人MSM中男性气概的观念和认知对他们的HIV性风险行为和风险认知的影响。通过焦点小组和一对一采访，这项研究将寻求检查男子气概和性认同的相互作用，以及这种相互作用如何影响这一人群的风险认知和HIV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.