The Effect of Social Networks and Social Constructions on HIV Risk Perceptions

• In Event: 2234 - Social Dimensions of AIDS

Abstract

Roughly 1 in 7 people living with HIV in the United States are unaware of their infection, signaling that individuals may not be accurately perceiving their HIV risk. While studies have examined predictors of HIV risk perception, the majority focus on individual-level predictor (e.g. education, age), and few studies have taken into account the role that socio-cognitive processes play in determining perceptions of HIV risk. The present analysis seeks to identify the individual, interpersonal and network influences on perceptions of HIV risk among heterosexuals at risk for HIV. This analysis uses data from the Colorado Springs “Project 90” study, a CDC-funded project focused on HIV transmission among populations at high risk of acquiring and transmitting HIV. Using social network data, analyses were conducted to identify predictors of self-perceived HIIV risk, as well as perceived HIV risk of associates. Results show that interpersonal characteristics such as perceptions of associates’ HIV risk, racial homophily, and engagement in multiplexity (co-occurrence of drug-use, needle sharing and sex within relationships) were significantly associated with self-perceived HIV risk. Factors determined to be associated with perceptions of associates’ HIV risk include perceptions of their own HIV risk, emotional closeness within relationships, and density of social ties. The analysis concludes with implications for the social construction of HIV risk / HIV risk perceptions.

Authors

• Emmanuel F. Koku, Drexel University

• marisa a felsher, Drexel University