The 130th Annual Meeting of APHA

Abstract #48033

Kiti Freier, PhD¹, Talin Babikian, MA¹, Gary Hopkins, MD, DrPH², Duane C. McBride, PhD³, Ralph J. DiClemente, PhD⁴, Delia Lang, PhD, MPH⁴, and Lloyd Richardson, MD¹. (1) Department of Psychology, Loma Linda University, 11130 Anderson St., Loma Linda, CA 92350, 909-558-8725, tbabikian06g@univ.llu.edu, (2) Institute for the Prevention of Addictions, Andrews University, Center for Prevention Research, Berrien Springs, MI 49104, (3) Department of Behavioral Science, Andrews University, 123 Nethery Hall, Berrien Springs, MI 49104, (4) Rollins School of Public Health, Emory University, 1518 Clifton Road, NE, Atlanta, GA 30322

The HIV/AIDS epidemic in the Caribbean is second only to sub-Saharan Africa. Youth are especially at risk since more than half of all new infections worldwide occur in the 15-24 age range. Most prevention efforts directed at minimizing HIV/AIDS risk in youth are psycho-educational. This study examined the behavioral determinants of HIV risk among 369 youth (ages 14-21) in the Caribbean. Specifically, the role of HIV/AIDS knowledge was assessed in predicting the prevalence of sexual and substance-related risk behaviors. The average initiation age for alcohol use was 12.6 males and 16.6 females; drug use 13.5 males and 14.3 females; sexual intercourse 12.8 males and 14.5 females. For sexually experienced youth, the average number of lifetime sexual partners was 6.2 (s.d. 8.4) for males and 3.9 (s.d. 5.7) for females. Although most students demonstrated high knowledge with respect to HIV transmission through sexual intercourse, they were markedly less knowledgeable about injecting drug use and prevailing myths. Alcohol, drug use and sexual activity were significantly correlated (p < .001). There were no meaningful correlations between HIV/AIDS knowledge and alcohol use (r=.089, p=ns), drug use (r=.101, p=ns) and risky sexual activity (r=-.034, p=ns). HIV/AIDS risk is complex and prevalence and knowledge based research alone is not enough to represent the multiple levels of transmission risk, specifically in youth whose norms are easily influenced by social networks. It is imperative to develop effective intervention methods which look beyond information based variables at social and cultural normative influences when encouraging risk behavior change.

Learning Objectives:

At the conclusion of the session, the participant in this session will be able to
• recognize the need for effective HIV/AIDS prevention efforts for adolescents which are not based on information alone and
• identify psychosocial variables above and beyond knowledge which are predictive of HIV/AIDS risk behaviors.

Keywords: Adolescents, International, HIV/AIDS

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.