Exploring the ideological factors that affect the non-negotiatiom of HIV at-risk sexual practices among women: a pilot study

This proyect by PI Dr. Malavé (PhD in Psychology) and Co-PI Dr. Rosario-Perez (Ph.D Microbiology) explores the ideological factors that affect the non-negotiation of HIV at-risk sexual practices among women. Both of them have a record of community service with HIV at-risk populations and have developed collaborative projects with Iniciativa Comunitaria (Community Initiative), a local non-profit organization that offers HIV prevention services (see letter of support). Their research compares one group of urban women’s sexual views and practices with the views and practices of two groups of women from the rural UPRC service area. Statistics show that the incidence of HIV/AIDS transmission via heterosexual contact among women in this rural sector is much higher than the national average. This interdisciplinary team will study how their notions of pleasure, monogamy, romantic love, impinge on their sexual behavior and increase their chances of practicing HIV at risk practices. Their collaborator, Dr. Romero-Daza from the University of South Florida (USF), is an expert on HIV/AIDS who has done extensive research on the multiplicity of factors that affect the practice of HIV protective behaviors.