Perceptions of Prevalence and Risk Perception Among Sexual and Gender Minorities in Urban and Rural Areas in the Southern United States Restricted; Files Only
Henry, Megan (Spring 2023)
Published
Abstract
There is limited data on how perceptions of risk and attitudes towards HIV and HIV prevention vary between rural and urban/metropolitan areas. This study sought to assess the accuracy of estimates of HIV prevalence by urbanicity (urban vs. rural) and HIV risk perception/fatalism among sexual and gender minority (SGM) populations in the southern US. We conducted a cross-sectional study of minority SGM individuals in rural and non-rural areas of the southern United States to characterize the experiences of rural SGM populations. The study’s primary outcome of interest was awareness of HIV prevalence among gay or bisexual men in an individual’s county and state of residence. Individuals reported their best guess of the percent of the MSM population living with HIV in their state of residence and county of residence. True prevalence proportion values were estimated for comparison to participant estimation. The study’s primary independent variable of interest was the rurality of where an individual lived. Other variables of interest included demographics such as race, income, age, and education, as well as behavioral/social factors like HIV testing habits, perception of HIV risk and general attitudes regarding HIV/HIV prevention, and disclosure of sexuality to healthcare providers. Binary logistic regression was performed and unadjusted and adjusted odds ratios and 95% confidence intervals were estimated to assess the association between rurality and awareness. Results of the study showed a weak positive association between rurality of a participant’s county and awareness of HIV prevalence among gay and bisexual men in a participant’s state (Adjusted OR = 1.64, 95% CI 0.89, 3.01 as well as a positive association between rurality of a participant’s county and awareness of HIV prevalence among gay and bisexual men in a participant’s county (Adjusted OR = 2.10, 95% CI 1.22, 3.64). The result implies that there might be a higher awareness of HIV prevalence among rural populations, despite urban populations having higher perceptions of their individual risk. This could mean that urban populations have a better understanding of individual risk but need programming that educates on HIV prevalence in local areas. Rural participants may have a higher awareness of HIV prevalence in their communities but need programming that focuses on individual risk. This is consistent with the unique challenges that rural areas face when approaching HIV care and prevention compared to urban and metropolitan areas. Interventions for rural and urban areas in the South should be unique to each individual area and consider the awareness and risk perception of their target population so that they are able to make informed decisions regarding HIV prevention.
Table of Contents
Table of Contents
Introduction ....................................................................................................................................1
Methods ..........................................................................................................................................3
Study Design and Population ............................................................................................................3
Measures and Variables ....................................................................................................................4
Statistical Analysis...........................................................................................................................7
Results ...........................................................................................................................................8 Discussion........................................................................................................................ .............11
References .....................................................................................................................................17
Tables ........................................................................................................................... ................20
Table 1...........................................................................................................................................20
Table 2...........................................................................................................................................21
Table 3...........................................................................................................................................22
Table 4...........................................................................................................................................23
Appendix .......................................................................................................................................24
Appendix A ....................................................................................................................................24
Appendix B ....................................................................................................................................25
Appendix C ....................................................................................................................................26
About this Master's Thesis
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File download under embargo until 18 May 2025 | 2023-04-20 11:37:45 -0400 | File download under embargo until 18 May 2025 |
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