Sexual Risk Behavior, AIDS Knowledge, and Beliefs About AIDS Among Predominantly Minority Gay and Bisexual Male Adolescents

• NCJ Number: 134226
• Journal: AIDS Education and Prevention Volume: 3 Issue: 4 Dated: (Winter 1991) Pages: 305-312
• Author(s): M J Rotheram-Borus; C Koopman
• Date Published: 1991
• Length: 8 pages
• Grant Number(s): 5-P50 MH43520
• Sponsoring Agency: National Institute on Drug Abuse; National Institute of Mental Health
• Publication Format: Article
• Publication Type: Survey
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

Current sexual risk behavior, AIDS knowledge, and beliefs about AIDS prevention were examined among 59 black and Hispanic male adolescents attending a community center for gay and lesbian youth in New York City.

Abstract

Most minority adolescents (73 percent) had been sexually active in the last 3 months, with a median of 2 partners. Only 21 percent reported consistent condom use. The Sexual Risk Behavior Assessment Schedule-Youth was used to elicit information about sexual behavior, and a risk index was developed to assess sexual risk behavior with the same sex partners in light of factors known to affect the likelihood of HIV infection from sexual transmission. These factors included abstinence, condom use, number of sexual acts, and number of sexual partners. General knowledge about AIDS was evaluated using 62 true/false items, while beliefs about AIDS prevention were studied using 39 Likert-type items. The youth demonstrated moderately high AIDS knowledge (82 percent) and positive beliefs endorsing AIDS prevention (71 percent). When risk pattern was defined on the basis of partners, risk acts, and condom use, positive AIDS prevention beliefs were significantly and inversely associated with the high-risk pattern but not with abstinence. The results suggest that youth who frequently engage in high-risk acts need intervention targeting changes in beliefs, behavior, and knowledge. 23 references and 2 tables (Author abstract modified)