Title: Predictors of African American adolescents' condom use and HIV risk behavior.

POPLINE Document Number: 120763

Author(s):

Reitman D
St. Lawrence JS
Jefferson KW
Alleyne E
Brasfield TL
Shirley A

Source citation:

AIDS Education and Prevention, 1996 Dec;8(6):499-515.

Abstract:

To facilitate identification of factors that place low-income African American adolescents at increased risk of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), interviews were conducted with 312 youth 12-19 years of age attending a Public Health Service-funded clinic in Mississippi. The analysis was restricted to the 114 sexually active youth in this sample. The full variable set included age, gender, acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) knowledge, condom attitude, perceived risk of AIDS, self-efficacy, social provision, church attendance, AIDS Risk Index, and Condom Use Index. Correlations between these variables were small to moderate (0.0 to -0.48). Separate regression analyses revealed significant relationships between the full variable set and the AIDS Risk Index (p < 0.0001) and the Condom Use Index (p < 0.02). Half of the teens reported unprotected intercourse in the preceding 2 months, yet most perceived themselves at low risk for AIDS. Multivariate analyses of variance revealed that variables most predictive of unprotected sex with multiple partners differed from those associated with condom use. Males who reported lower self-efficacy in avoiding AIDS and perceived themselves at greater risk were most likely to engage in high-risk behaviors. Consistent condom users were younger than intermittent and non-users and had more positive attitudes about condoms and higher AIDS knowledge scores. Interventions aimed at Black teens may need to expand beyond condom promotion to include broader media and community-based educational programs.

Keywords:

Mississippi
United States
Research Report
Correlation Studies
Blacks
Adolescents
Low Income Population
Premarital Sex Behavior
HIV Prevention
AIDS Prevention
Condom
Risk Behavior
Risk Reduction Behavior
Developed Countries
North America
Americas
Statistical Studies
Studies
Research Methodology
Ethnic Groups
Cultural Background
Population Characteristics
Demographic Factors
Population
Youth
Age Factors
Social Class
Socioeconomic Status
Socioeconomic Factors
Economic Factors
Sex Behavior
Behavior
HIV Infections
Viral Diseases
Diseases
AIDS
Barrier Methods
Contraceptive Methods
Contraception
Family Planning