Fall 2009 – Volume 15, No. 2
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Interpersonal and Attitudinal Factors in Healthcare Utilization among HIV-Infected Urban African American Men
Aaron G. Buseh, Sheryl T. Kelber, Patricia E. Stevens, Robin J. Poedel
University of Illinois at Chicago - pg. 1
Abstract
This study describes health services utilization patterns and barriers to healthcare analyzing
relationships among participant and situational variables. Using a cross sectional
design with a sample of 117 HIV-infected African American men aged 21 to 60,
a survey was administered to assess: socio-demographic indicators, health care utilization
patterns, stigma, and self-efficacy relative to perceived attitudes toward their HIV
healthcare providers (AHHCP). Fifty-seven percent reported not seeking health care
when needed and 51 percent reported having missed appointments. Results revealed
correlations between time spent by healthcare provider (HCP), ability to access care,
lack of HCP commitment, and denial of care. Self-efficacy was correlated to the total
AHHCP score and its subscales. This study provides important contextual perspectives
on healthcare utilization barriers among HIV-infected African men in an urban setting.
To reduce access barriers for HIV-infected patients, health care providers must understand
better the patients’ perspectives on the difficulties of accessing care and navigating
the healthcare system.
Disparities in Health Care among African Americans
Sadia Javaid, Naviar C. Barker, Ali Shahid, Shagufta Jabeen, Rahn Kennedy Bailey
Meharry Medical College – pg 19
Abstract
Many variables determine the quality of health care received by persons of color in the
United States. Differences in disease detection, diagnosis, and management of health
care outcomes in African Americans date back to slavery. There are race differences,
gender differences, and epidemiological differences in the treatment of African Americans
in our health care system. Diseases such as prostate and colorectal cancer, infant
mortality, chronic diseases like hypertension and diabetes all are very high among African
Americans as compared to white Americans. The high rate of infectious diseases
like Pneumonia and AIDS are consistently higher among African Americans. Contributing
factors for these occurrences are a lack of regular sources for Primary care, social,
financial, cultural, insurance related and linguistic barriers that increases the burden of
disease and unresolved disparities in the U.S. healthcare system. Elimination of these
healthcare disparities must take place in order to better manage healthcare and provide
unbiased equal care and quality of life to all Americans. This article examines factors
leading to healthcare disparities and identifies essential tasks to improve the quality of
care received by African Americans and other racial minority groups.
Suicide and African Americans: An Overview
Kenneth Osiezaga, Amandeep Kaur, Narviar C. Barker, Rahn Kennedy Bailey
Meharry Medical College – pg 29
Abstract
Suicide is increasingly becoming a major public health issue. Each year over one million
people die by suicide worldwide. The World Health Organization estimates that suicide
is the thirteenth leading cause of death worldwide (Gross 2006) and the National Safety
Council rates death by suicide eleventh in the United States (Minino and Heron 2006).
It is a leading cause of death among teenagers and adults under 35 (Nikola 2006). The
rate of completed suicide is higher in men than in women (O’Connor and Noel 2000).
It is estimated that workforce-related suicides cost businesses as much as $13 billion
annually (Research! America 2008) and for every suicide prevented, the United States
could save an average of $3,875 in medical expenses and $1,178,684 in lost productivity
(Research! America 2008). Caucasians are twice as likely as African Americans to
complete suicide. The rate of suicide is growing faster among African American youth
than among Caucasian youth (American Association of Suicidology 2006); it is the third
leading cause of death for African Americans aged 15-24 (Centers for Disease Control
and Prevention 2007). This is a descriptive study of various dimensions of suicide
among African Americans in the past decade with a discussion of prevention and screening
tools.
Prostate Cancer in African American Males: Psychological Effects of Diagnosis and Prostatectomy
M. Rehan Puri, Ernest A. Gbadebo-Goyea, Narviar C. Barker, C. Freeman, Rahn K. BaileyMeharry Medical College – pg 41
Abstract
Prostate cancer is the most common cancer in men regardless of race or ethnicity, but it
is more common in African American men than in white men ( American Cancer Society
2008). It is less common in Hispanic, Asian, Pacific Islander, and Native American men.
Several studies have reported diminished and poorer quality of life (i.e., disease-specific
physical health and functional status) for African American men who have undergone
standard treatments for prostate cancer when compared to white men. However, limited
research is available on psychological adjustments to prostate cancer and even less is
known about racial differences in psychological functioning after treatment.
Problems most often reported by African American men after prostate cancer
diagnosis or a radical prostatectomy are impotence, sexual dysfunction, erectile
dysfunction, urinary frequency and psychological problems related to sadness, worry,
nervousness, loneliness, loss, and diminished perceptions of “manhood”. Treatment
for prostate cancer requires thoughtful decision making, which often is influenced by
patient age at diagnosis, tumor stage, co-morbidities and treatment choice; because the
type of treatmen
t chosen may lead to adverse effects and modification in sexual behavior,
especially after a radical prostatectomy.
