Knowledge and attitudes related to AIDS among African-American women.

We explored knowledge and perceptions related to AIDS prevention among African-American women who reside in a low-income urban community. The results are based on a short survey and discussions of three focus groups, divided according to the respondents' ages. Results of the study indicate that the respondents were less knowledgeable about AIDS than women from a national survey. Respondents also expressed very little trust in condoms and found it difficult to make their sexual partners use them. Issues raised during the focus groups included fear of contracting AIDS as a result of medical care, mistrust and dislike of condoms, difficulties convincing men to use condoms, inability to affect the sexual behavior of their sons and daughters, and a wish to have AIDS prevention programs in the community. Implications for practice are discussed.