The 131st Annual Meeting (November 15-19, 2003) of APHA

Abstract #54636

Kiti Freier, PhD¹, Talin Babikian, MA², Delia L Lang, PhD, MPH³, Adriana Macias, BA², Tanya Burley Aaen, MA², Gary Hopkins, MD, DrPH⁴, Gily Ionescu, MD⁵, Valentina Mihaila, PhD⁶, and Duane C. McBride, PhD⁷. (1) Departments of Psychology and Pediatrics, Loma Linda University and Children's Hospital, 11130 Anderson St., Suite 102, Loma Linda, CA 92350, 909-558-8725, kfreier@psych.llu.edu, (2) Department of Psychology, Loma Linda University, 11130 Anderson St., Loma Linda, CA 92350, (3) Rollins School of Public Health, Dept of Behavioral Sciences and Health Education, Emory University, 1518 Clifton Road, NE, Atlanta, GA 30322, (4) Institute for the Prevention of Addictions, Andrews University, Center for Prevention Research, Berrien Springs, MI 49104, (5) Adventist Health and Temperance Association, ., Bucharest, Romania, (6) National Institute for Research and Development in Health, str.Vaselor 31, cod 73258, Bucharest, Romania, (7) Department of Behavioral Science, Andrews University, 123 Nethery Hall, Berrien Springs, MI 49104

Eastern Europe and Central Asia have the steepest HIV incidence rate in the world with 250,000 new infections in 2002 and 80% under 29 years of age. In Romania, 73% of HIV cases were in children by 1999. The following study examined HIV/AIDS risk (knowledge, sexual activity, and substance use) of 1502 students (mean age 16.6) in three Romanian cities. Although students demonstrated knowledge regarding transmission through unprotected sex (96%) and injecting drug use (92%), certain myths still existed: transmission through sterile instruments during blood tests (39%), insect bites (47%), and public toilets (61%). In addition, only 74% indicated AIDS is not only a homosexual disease and 13% recognized the higher risk of transmission for females. Significant gender differences in sexual behavior were apparent: 47% of males (6.5 partners) and 16% of females (2.3 partners) reported a history of sexual intercourse initiating at ages 14.7 and 15.9, respectively. Although recognizing risks of unprotected sex, 47% of sexually active students used condoms infrequently. Lifetime drug use and current alcohol use (past 30 days) were endorsed by 7% and 50%, respectively. Binge drinking (36% of current drinkers) was inversely associated with frequency of condom use (p<.01) and positively associated with lifetime sexual partners (p<.01). The results suggest that Romanian youth are engaging in HIV/AIDS risk behaviors. Although adequate knowledge regarding HIV risk was displayed, students’ information did not translate into protective behaviors. Future interventions should focus on factors beyond HIV/AIDS education (including dispelling existing myths) and identify predictors of risky behaviors.

Learning Objectives:

At the conclusion of the session, the participant will be able to
• describe discrepancies and myths in the HIV/AIDS information base of Romanian youth,
• recognize the need for effective school-based HIV/AIDS prevention programs for Romanian youth, and
• identify the need for intervention strategies above and beyond information dissemination.

Keywords: Child/Adolescent, HIV Risk Behavior

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.