We describe longitudinal changes in HIV risk behaviors as males age from mid-adolescence (ages 15-19) to late adolescence (ages 17-22) to young adulthood (ages 21-26), using data from the National Survey of Adolescent Males which follows a nationally representative sample of adolescent males into adulthood. Building from May and Anderson's model of disease transmission, multiple HIV risk behaviors focusing on partner selection and sexual practices are examined. Age-related changes at the aggregate level reveal that, on average, HIV risk-taking is greater among young adult than adolescent males. For example, acts of intercourse without a condom increased from an average of seven to 53 acts among males ages 15-19 vs. ages 22-26; risk-taking increases similarly across other behaviors. These aggregate patterns of increasing risk belie substantial variation at the individual level. While the majority of young men increase their HIV risk-taking as they age from adolescence into adulthood, many young men decrease or maintain their level of risk-taking. Declines in risk-taking are relatively more common as young men transition from late-adolescence into young adulthood. For example, from mid- to late-adolescence 63% of males increase their number of acts of unprotected intercourse and 13% report declines. In contrast, from late adolescence to young adulthood, more than one-quarter reduced this HIV risk behavior and only 60% report increases. These individual variations in HIV risk-taking trajectories create opportunities to better understand the process and determinants of involvement in increasing or decreasing risk, recidivism into risky behaviors, and sustained safe behaviors.
Learning Objectives: Following the completion of this presentation, attendees will be able to: 1) understand the difference between aggregate and individual level patterns of change in HIV risk behaviors, 2) describe how participation in HIV risk behaviors change as young men age, and 3) discuss how individual variation in HIV risk taking trajectories can inform the development of HIV education and interventions
Keywords: HIV Risk Behavior, Adolescent Health
Presenting author's disclosure statement:
Organization/institution whose products or services will be discussed: None
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.