Sexual Health Behavior and Mental Health Among Older African American Women: The Sistahs, Sexuality, and Mental Health Well-Being Project

• DOI: 10.1089/jwh.2017.6777
• Publication Date: 2018-08-02T18:23:52Z
• Authors: April D. Thames; Andrea Hammond; Rodolfo A. Nunez; Zanjbeel Mahmood; Felica Jones; Stephanie L. Carter; Robert M. Bilder; Steven Fisher; Traci Bivens-Davis; Loretta Jones
• Keywords: Community-Based Participatory Research

In Los Angeles County, the rates of sexually transmitted infections and diseases among African Americans represent a significant public health disparity. Older American women are at particular risk as they more likely to engage in high-risk sexual behaviors report social isolation loneliness than their younger counterparts. However, literature on relationship between mental this group is limited. The purpose study was use community-based participatory research (CBPR) approach better understand over 50 years age who reside South Angeles.This project divided into two phases. Phase I (January-March 2017) consisted four dialog/focus groups (N = 45) (ages: 50-80; Mage 67). II (April present results from community via conference, well gather feedback generate discussion about next steps for prevention/intervention.Women reported that did not feel comfortable discussing practices with physician, partners, friends. Most identified depression, loneliness, self-esteem issues reasons engaging behaviors. During II, potential intervention avenues emerged address such lack physician-patient communication, support, dialogs sex.The CBPR greatly enhanced our knowledge core surrounding older women.