228352 A study of at risk health behaviors and protective factors in a sample of Aboriginal youth in remote Northern Canada: An application of a theory based behavioral model for HIV/AIDS prevention

Monday, November 8, 2010

Kiti Freier Randall, PhD , Pediatrics & Public Health, Loma Linda University and Children's Hospital, Loma Linda, CA
Peter Gleason, PhD(c) , Department of Psychology, Loma Linda University, Loma Linda, CA
Louise Logue, RN , Strategic Youth Initiatives, Ottawa Police Services, Ottawa, ON, Canada
Gordon Hudson , Youth Healing Center, Cree Health Board, Ottawa, ON, Canada
Duane C. McBride, PhD , Behavioral Science Department, Andrews University, Berrien Springs, MI
Introduction: With continued concern for HIV infection in global youth populations, risk behaviors and protective factors were investigated in Canadian Aboriginal youth. Substance use and sexual activity were assessed. Guided by Theory of Reasoned Action (TRA), intentions to engage in behaviors was hypothesized to mediate the relationship between attitudes (youths' beliefs), and adult subjective norms (youths' perceptions of their parents' beliefs) and high-risk behaviors. The study investigated youths' intentions and behaviors and youth/parent communication to explore potential relationships conceptualizing HIV/AIDS risk and protective factors.

Methods: IRB and local authority approved anonymous questionnaires, based on the CDC-YRBS, were completed by Aboriginal youth ages 14-18 (males=18; females=19) from rural and urban communities in Canada's remote North Region.

Results: Quality of communication significantly correlated with mother and at-risk behaviors/attitudes. Poorer communication was significantly correlated with higher rates of substance use and at-risk sexual practices. 38% of the youth talked with mother or both parents (32%) about sex and substance use. Only 5% felt comfortable speaking with father. Not speaking to anyone because it is embarrassing was positively correlated with use of tobacco, alcohol, illicit drugs, and at-risk sexual behaviors.

Conclusions: Quality communication with parents about high-risk behaviors did not correlate with behaviors, however, youth who did NOT communicate with peers or adults for fear of embarrassment were much more likely to engage in these behaviors. The quality of the relationship with one's mother appears to mediate the propensity toward at-risk activities. How youth perceive cultural norms needs to be considered in prevention strategies.

Learning Areas:
Diversity and culture
Planning of health education strategies, interventions, and programs
Social and behavioral sciences
Systems thinking models (conceptual and theoretical models), applications related to public health

Learning Objectives:
1) Participants will be able to describe use of theory based models in HIV prevention in youth in minority cultures. 2) Participants will be able to discuss importance of parental relationships in HIV prevention strategies.

Keywords: Native Populations, Youth

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

Qualified on the content I am responsible for because: I was the primary investigator on this study and have done research in this area for over 20 years. I am also a native of Canada and worked closely with our local authorities to attain a representative sample from a very understudies and not well served population.
Any relevant financial relationships? No

I agree to comply with the American Public Health Association Conflict of Interest and Commercial Support Guidelines, and to disclose to the participants any off-label or experimental uses of a commercial product or service discussed in my presentation.

Back to: 3320.0: Dialogue on Diversity in HIV/AIDS Issues 2