HIV Prevention, Education, and Care in Minority Populations

Science Center, Bent Corridor

The purpose of this research project is to investigate the relationship between minority populations and access to HIV prevention, education and support services using The Greater Cincinnati area and Caracole HIV Case Form database as a case study. I focus on the minority populations of men who have sex with men, injection drug users, and the hispanic community as case studies. My aim is to determine the access and involvement in HIV care and prevention as well as sexual health and education efforts towards these marginalized communities. I do so by analyzing the Caracole database for demographic information, sexual history and referrals in addition to participant observations during community outreach events. I anticipate that there is a lack of education and information readily available to these minority populations and that there is a gap in health care and coverage in terms of access to HIV testing and long term support.