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The 130th Annual Meeting of APHA |
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The 130th Annual Meeting of APHA |
Deborah Koniak-Griffin, EdD, RNC, FAAN, Janna Lesser, PhD, RN, CS, and Adeline M. Nyamathi, PhD, RN, FAAN. School of Nursing, University of California, Los Angeles, Box 956919, Los Angeles, CA 90095-6919, 310-206-3842, dkoniak@sonnet.ucla.edu
Pregnant/parenting teens are at high risk for heterosexual HIV transmission due to early sexual onset, multiple sex partners, and absent/inconsistent condom use. Many belong to disproportionately affected ethnic groups. The purpose of this study was to evaluate effects of the HIV prevention curriculum "Be Proud! Be Responsible" on adolescent mothers, as adapted to motivate sexual risk reduction by building upon maternal concern for children's well-being. Recruited from pregnant minor programs, participants were assigned by school site to an HIV Prevention (HIVPP) or a Health Promotion Program (HPP). The HIVPP, based on social learning theories, included an 8-hour nurse-facilitated curriculum with small group instruction, interactive activities, and condom-use skill building. Evaluated post-intervention and at 3, 6, and 12 months were background characteristics, sexual behaviors, drug/alcohol use, AIDS knowledge, attitudes towards and intentions to use condoms. Findings are based on data from 497 young women, predominantly Latino (n=380, 78%) or African-American (n=89, 18%), single, with a mean age of 16.73 years. ANCOVA results revealed significant group by time interactions for AIDS knowledge (F[3.4, 1702]=15.89, p=.000), intentions to use condoms (F[3.6, 1791]=2.91, p=.024), and number of sex partners (F[3.12, 920]=3.18, p=.042). The HIV intervention positively influenced these outcome variables. While HIVPP participants had significantly fewer sex partners at the 6-month follow-up, the number of unprotected vaginal sex episodes decreased significantly in both groups. Young mothers often face unique issues (e.g., desire to maintain a relationship with their baby's father) that influence their risk-taking behaviors and present a challenge for HIV prevention efforts.
Learning Objectives:
Keywords: HIV/AIDS, Adolescents
Presenting author's disclosure statement:
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.