Module 3: Epidemiology of HIV/AIDS among Native Communities

Goal of Module 3:
To help you identify how and why HIV/AIDS spreads in your Native community in order to strengthen your intervention.

Epidemiology is the study of the ways in which a disease progresses through a population. In order to plan and carry out an effective intervention, you must understand how and why people in your community become infected with and spread HIV.

In this module, you will find:

  • an article on epidemiology as it relates to American Indians, Alaska Natives, and Native Hawaiians
  • Fast Facts that offer useful statistics and information
  • Fact Sheets that offer statistics for specific Native populations
  • resources for further research on the epidemiology of HIV/AIDS
  • exercises that provide steps toward learning about epidemiology in your community

 
Contents 1d Barriers to Finding Sound
Epidemiology Data for AI/AN/NHs
1.

Epidemiology of HIV/AIDS among AI/AN/NHs:


2. Fast Facts about the Epidemiology of HIV/AIDS for AI/AN/NHs:
3. Fact Sheets
 

HIV/AIDS among AI/ANs in Alaska
 

HIV/AIDS among AI/ANs in Arizona
 

HIV/AIDS among Native Americans in California
 

HIV/AIDS among Native Americans in Minnesota
 

HIV/AIDS among AI/ANs in New Mexico
 

HIV/AIDS among Native Americans in New York
 

HIV/AIDS among Native Americans in North Carolina
 

HIV/AIDS among AI/ANs in Oklahoma
 

HIV/AIDS among Native Americans in Washington
4. Finding Data
4a. Resources
4b. Module 3 Exercises

In many states, prevention programs have encountered barriers to obtaining accurate epidemiological data for their community due to the gaps in incidence reporting, lack of testing services, and frequent misclassification of Native peoples. To overcome these barriers, you can gather information on health factors and indicators that coincide with HIV risk. Look up rates for sexually transmitted infections (STIs), hepatitis, teen pregnancy, domestic violence, substance abuse, incarceration, socioeconomic status, and homelessness. Many public schools, including Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA) schools, conduct teen behavioral risk surveys. These surveys can be used as reliable sources for additional information. Tribal clinics can provide local information that may be reflected in both state and federal records. This information will be helpful in identifying the specific behavioral risks and geographic areas that should be targeted in the planning of a community-level needs assessment.