Solution 1

Solution 2

Solution 3

There are many barriers that hinder HIV prevention among African Americans. In study by Bogart and Thorburn, African Americans’ acceptance of the conspiracy beliefs about HIV/AIDS is a barrier to HIV prevention (2). African Americans embrace these beliefs as justifications to not be tested for HIV, and slow down the progress in HIV awareness and prevention. They distrust the US government and health system and do not follow preventions recommendations regarding safer sexual behavior. These conspiracy beliefs connect to the outlook of US society as a whole. Between 1% and 60% of the participants in the study approved specific conspiracy about HIV and AIDS (2). There were 500 participants; the majority was females between the ages of 21-34 with one or more children, with an annual household income of or less than $35,000. Out of 500 participants, 58.5% agreed somewhat or strongly that a lot of information about AIDS is being held back from the public, and 53.4% agreed somewhat or strongly that there is a cure for AIDS, but it is being withheld from the poor. Interestingly, out of the 500 participants, 75.4% agreed somewhat or strongly that medical and public health institutions are trying to stop the spread of HIV in black communities (2). African Americans are aware the effort being made to bring awareness and prevention to the communities, but still hold on to these conspiracies. Events in US history, such as Tuskegee Experiment, are a constant reminder of the disruption of the government. Focus on the mishaps of the past prevents progress in the present, and found barriers in HIV prevention.

            There must be a consciousness effort to encourage and support routine visits to the doctor. In the study by Molitor et al., IDUs are less likely to take advantage of the HIV services offered to them (3).  In the study by Smith et al., HIV has very little personal impact on the user because they struggle with many other issues such as poverty, lack of housing, and unemployment (4). In the study by Latkin et al., IDUs are less likely to discuss with others about HIV prevention; they are detached from the HIV/AIDS issue (5). They are more engaged at services at organizations that are more accepting of their drug use (3). If it were mandatory for doctors to suggest HIV testing, then there would be a better outcome. Doctors must suggest to be tested for HIV and give the nearest location of HIV/STD clinics. It provides the opportunity for IDUs to discuss their personal habits and their knowledge and aspect of HIV/AIDS. By making a HIV testing suggestion part of the doctor’s procedure, the aspect of awareness is fulfilled, along with HIV prevention. It also presents the opportunity to educate the patients about HIV/AIDS, its effects, and safer sex behavior.