ABSTRACT
Sexually transmitted infections (STI), including HIV infection, and intimate partner violence (IPV) are major public health problems that occur at high rates among African American women compared to women from other ethnic and racial groups. Using a syndemic framework, the objectives of this paper are to discuss the intersecting and synergistic effects of IPV, STI, and HIV infection, discuss social and health factors associated with high mortality and morbidity rates for Black women, and review effective evidenced-based interventions and strategies adapted to the unique needs of Black women. Effective intervention approaches that mitigate components of risk and enhance protective factors, especially at earlier ages, are critical. Given the multiple unique needs of Black women, sustainability and scale-up of effective interventions are imperative. Addressing challenges with cross national collaborations and challenges for investigators working with churches and community-based organizations that serve Black women are also discussed.
Disclosure of Interest
Drs. Sharps, Njie-Carr and Alexander have no real or perceived conflicts.
Ethical Standards and Informed Consent
The studies cited in this review paper followed “all procedures followed were in accordance with the ethical standards of the responsible committee on human experimentation [institutional and national] and with the Helsinki Declaration of 1975, as revised in 2000. Informed consent was obtained from all patients for being included in the study.”