Date of Conferral

2022

Degree

Ph.D.

School

Public Health

Advisor

Chinaro Kennedy

Abstract

Despite the surmounting prevalence of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) among Black women, few studies have been conducted to examine culturally appropriate prevention methods to reduce the occurrence of the disease. The purpose of this cross-sectional study was to explore how religion/spirituality affects the attitudes, beliefs, and self-perceptions of HIV/AIDS among 151 Black/African women, ages 25-44, in Florida, and to investigate the impact of HIV-related stigma on the attitudes, beliefs, and self-perceptions of HIV/AIDS within this population. Social cognitive theory was the framework of the study. Multiple linear regression and hierarchical regression were used to analyze the survey data. Results revealed that daily prayer was related to above average attitudes about HIV/AIDS. There was no statistically significant relationship between church attendance and daily prayers with risk perception. Participants with higher self-efficacy were less likely to show attitude above average, and self-efficacy did not mediate the relationship between church attendance and daily prayer and risk perception. Study results illustrate that church activities are significantly related to the ability for self-regulation and demonstrate how spiritual/religious practices influence attitudes, beliefs, self-perceptions, and self-efficacy related to how HIV is acquired. These findings can promote social change by bridging the gap in the collaboration efforts of public health practitioners and the Black community, assisting in the development of interventions to address HIV in Black/African American women.

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