Antibody testing and condom use among heterosexual African Americans at risk for HIV infection: the National AIDS Behavioral Surveys.

Objectives: This study describes predictions of condom use and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) antibody testing in a population-based sample of African-American heterosexuals who reported HIV risk behavior.

Methods: Data were taken from the National AIDS Behavioral Surveys.

Results: Of the African-American respondents, 22% reported some risk for HIV infection; of those, 24% had been tested for HIV.

Conclusions: Prevention messages encouraging HIV testing and condom use have not resulted in high rates of self-protective behavior among African Americans. Future prevention interventions must focus on specific motivations and barriers with regard to engaging in preventive behavior among specific age, gender, and educational-level groups within the population of African Americans at risk for HIV infection.