TCU Institute of Behavioral Research’s “Beauty Shop Study” is working to connect Black women with life-saving HIV education.
The study is partnering with Creative Beauty Salon for an event in the Oak Cliff area on June 2 from 1-3 p.m. at The Diamond Suite, 320 E. Camp Wisdom Rd. All beauty professionals are welcome to join and can register on the Institute of Behavioral Research website.
At the event, experts in the areas of HIV awareness and business for beauty professionals will host two panels, geared at educating stylists about women’s sexual health and empowering them to uplift their clients both professionally and personally.
Despite making up 14% of the female population, Black women account for over half of all new HIV diagnoses in women. This rate is 11 times higher than that of white women and Tarrant County is a nationally known hot spot for new HIV infections. HIV is the virus that causes AIDS and can be prevented by a medication called pre-exposure prophylaxis (or PrEP), which is up to 99% effective at preventing HIV transmission.
The life-changing medication, however, is rarely used by Black women. Most women are unaware of what PrEP is or that they can take it, and outreach efforts to engage Black women in PrEP services are very new. TCU’s Institute of Behavioral Research is embarking on a one-year pilot research study, the “Beauty Shop Study,” to help address this gap. Randi Proffitt, Ph.D. and Kevin Knight, Ph.D., professor and director of TCU’s Institute of Behavioral Research, will lead the team that will share PrEP education.
As part of the study, beauty professionals will be trained on HIV education and prevention and will refer their clients to the TCU mobile health unit at beauty shops and salons across Fort Worth and Dallas to help Black women get connected to women’s health services. TCU nursing faculty Tammie Williams will provide women’s health screenings and exams, including education about HIV and PrEP.
