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APHA Scientific Session and Event Listing

Recorded presentation

Karen Gibson, BA, Psychology, Penn State University - Capital College, 777 W. Harrisburg Pike, W157 Olmsted, Middletown, PA 17057, Heather Cecil, PhD, Department of Psychology, Penn State University, Capital College, 777 W. Harrisburg Pike, W157 Olmsted, Middletown, PA 17057, 717-948-6533, hkc3@psu.edu, and Raffy Luquis, PhD, Health Education, Penn State University, Capital College, 777 W. Harrisburg Pike, Middletown, PA 17057.

Background: Despite promotion of safer-sexual practices and implementation of sexual education curriculums throughout schools, rates of STIs remain high among adolescents. The purpose was to assess adolescents' perceptions and knowledge regarding STIs/HIV and related safer-sexual practices.

Methods: Seventeen focus groups were conducted with 92 participants, ages 13-20 years old; out of those 67% were female and 53% were white. Parental consent was obtained. Eight questions focused on knowledge and beliefs about STIs. Content analysis was conducted to code responses into specific categories to describe commonalities found across focus groups.

Results: Results showed that most adolescents were aware of how STIs were contracted and that some were curable. Many noted that the information they received about STDs was typically acquired through their school; however, they also felt that they did not know much about STIs. Most adolescents were most familiar with herpes and HIV/AIDS, followed by syphilis and gonorrhea. Despite high rates of chlamydia, few adolescents mentioned it. While some adolescents reported burning, sores/lesions, and discharge as symptoms of STIs, most of them were unaware of common symptoms. Respondents indicated discomfort talking to peers about and held negative attitudes towards STIs. Most participants reported abstinence and condom use as ways to protect themselves from STIs. However, the majority responded that teens do not consider the risks of STIs prior to engaging in sexual activity.

Conclusions: Most participants lack basic knowledge about and have negative attitudes towards STIs. However, adolescents do not consider the consequences of engaging in unsafe sexual practices.

Learning Objectives:

• Describe attitudes and beliefs held by adolescents regarding STIs/HIV
• Recognize the value of conducting focus groups for obtaining sensitive information from adolescents
• Develop new prevention messages that encourage youth to engage in safe sexual practices

Keywords: Adolescents, Sexual Risk Behavior

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

Not Answered

Recorded presentation