An innovative strategy to reduce sexual risk-taking in Latino young mothers and their male partners

Background: Latino adolescent mothers are at risk of HIV due to early sexual initiation and unprotected sex with high-risk and/or multiple partners. Their male partners report similar histories and frequently use illicit drugs and share needles for body-piercing and tattoos. This trial was to evaluate effects of a couple-focused HIV prevention program in reducing sexual risk-taking of adolescent mothers and their partners.

Methods: Participants were randomly assigned to the HIV prevention program or a lecture on HIV (control). The 6-session, theory-based HIV prevention curriculum built on culturally rooted concepts and assets of young parents, including concern about their child's well-being. Interactive and skill-building activities were conducted. Positive aspects of sexual norms and values were emphasized. Piecewise linear or nonlinear mixed model regression analysis was used to examine outcomes that were evaluated through structured measures.

Results: The sample included 168 couples, predominantly Latinos 14-25 years old, who reported high lifetime rates of substance use and childhood abuse. Findings revealed a significant decrease in unprotected sex from baseline to the 6-month follow-up for participants in the experimental group compared to those in the control group. For males in the experimental group, intentions to use condoms increased over time, and parental protectiveness was a strong moderator for treatment effect for themselves and their female partners. AIDS knowledge improved and was maintained to 12 months for the experimental group only.

Conclusions: Findings support the intervention's efficacy. However, gender differences were observed for some outcomes. Data suggest that booster strategies may be beneficial.