Peer safer sex norms and their influence on sexual risk behaviors among a sample of Hispanic adolescents

Background: Recent data suggest that Hispanic adolescents continue to be at an increased risk for HIV/STIs. As peer-related factors are particularly important during adolescence, peer-network perceived norms may have greater influence on adolescent risk behaviors than individual-level characteristics. Yet, data on the degree to which perceived peer norms around safer sexual behavior influence a range of risky sexual behaviors in this population are sparse. Methods: Baseline data from Hispanic adolescents enrolled in a peer-network intervention to reduce risky sexual behaviors in Boston, MA and Tampa, FL were used to assess the relationship between perceived peer norms around safer sex and consistent condom use (past 3 months), number of sexual partners (past 3 months)and age at sexual debut in separate multivariate logistic regression models. Results: Among 92 participants (65% male; mean age = 17 years), consistent condom use was associated with perceived peer norms that encouraged safer sex (OR=3.40, 95% CI 1.40-11.04) after controlling for individual sociodemographic characteristics and perceptions of partners desire to use condoms. Perceived peer norms supporting safer sex were inversely associated (OR=0.16, 95% CI 0.04-0.61) with having more than one sexual partner after controlling for demographic characteristics and alcohol use. As hypothesized, current perceptions of peer norms regarding safer sex were not associated with prior onset of sexual activity. Conclusions: Perceived peer norms around safer sexual behavior contribute to a lower likelihood of engaging in two influential HIV/STI risk behaviors: consistent condom use and multiple partnering. Further development of peer-based interventions for Hispanic youth is warranted.