Conspiracy Beliefs About HIV/AIDS and Birth Control Among African Americans: Implications for the Prevention of HIV, Other STIs, and Unintended Pregnancy

• Published in: Journal of social issues Vol. 61; no. 1; pp. 109 - 126
• Main Authors: Bird, Sheryl Thorburn, Bogart, Laura M.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: 350 Main Street , Malden , MA 02148 , USA , and PO Box 1354, Garsington Rd , Oxford OX4 2DQ , UK Blackwell Publishing 01.03.2005; Blackwell Publishing Ltd
• Subjects: Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome; African Americans; African Americans - psychology; AIDS; Beliefs; Bioethics; Birth Control; Condoms - utilization; Conspiracy; Contraception; Contraception Behavior - ethnology; Contraception Behavior - psychology; Cultural Characteristics; Data Collection; Female; Health Policy; HIV; HIV Infections - prevention & control; HIV Infections - psychology; Humans; Male; Myths; Pregnancy; Pregnancy, Unplanned; Prejudice; Prevention; Reproductive technology; Sexual Behavior; Sexually transmitted diseases; Social Attitudes; Social Behavior; STD; U.S.A; United States; United States; Empirical Approach; Genetics and Reproduction; Health Care and Public Health
• ISSN: 0022-4537; 1540-4560
• DOI: 10.1111/j.0022-4537.2005.00396.x

In this article, we examine the potential role that conspiracy beliefs regarding HIV/AIDS (e.g., “HIV is a manmade virus”) and birth control (e.g., “The government is trying to limit the Black population by encouraging the use of condoms”) play in the prevention of HIV, other STIs, and unintended pregnancies among African Americans in the United States. First, we review prior research indicating that substantial percentages of African Americans endorse conspiracy beliefs about HIV/AIDS and birth control. Next, we present a theoretical framework that suggests how conspiracy beliefs influence sexual behavior and attitudes. We then offer several recommendations for future research. Finally, we discuss the policy and programmatic implications of conspiracy beliefs for the prevention of HIV, other STIs, and unintended pregnancy.