HIV/AIDS Protective Factors among Sexually Active African and Hispanic/Latino Adolescents

Background: This study examined individual risk factors and protective factors in relation to the HIV/AIDS risk behaviors among sexually active minority youth. Methods: The data were collected from 31 sites funded by CSAP within the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) from September 2002-2006. Minority youth (N=2,670, 48.7% Hispanics and 51.4% African-American; 51.9% male and 48.1% female, age ranging from 11 to 25 years old) who reported having experienced vaginal, oral, or anal sexual intercourse were included in the analysis. The dependent variables included condom use during the last intercourse, multiple sex partners during the past 3 months, and alcohol or drug use at the time of the last sexual intercourse. The independent variables included school bonding, family cohesion, ethnicity identity, participating in HIV/AIDS education classes, and substance use behavior (smoking, alcohol, marijuana, and other illicit drugs). Results: The results from the multivariate logistic regression indicated that (1) Positive family cohesion and ethnicity identity were significantly related to a lower chance of having unprotected sex (p<.05); (2) marijuana use and cigarette use were related to the greater chance to have multiple sex partners; and (3) positive family cohesion and ethnicity identity were significantly related to lower odds of using drugs before sex. Conclusions: The study provides important information on the HIV/AIDS risk and protective factors associated with sexually active minority youth. It also identified important interrelations among factors that are related to HIV/AIDS risk and protection.