title: Sexual risk behavior, AIDS knowledge, and beliefs about AIDS among predominantly minority gay and bisexual male adolescents.
abstract: Current sexual risk behavior, AIDS knowledge, and beliefs about AIDS prevention were examined among 59 black and Hispanic male adolescents attending a community center for gay and lesbian youth. Most (73%) were sexually active in the last 3 months, with a median of 2.0 partners and with only 21% reporting consistent condom use. These youths demonstrated moderately high AIDS knowledge (82%) and positive beliefs endorsing AIDS prevention (71%). When risk pattern was defined on the basis of partners, risk acts, and condom use, positive AIDS prevention beliefs were significantly and inversely associated with the high-risk pattern, but not with abstinence. These results suggest that youths who frequently engage in high-risk acts need intervention targeting changes in beliefs and behavior, as well as knowledge.
authors.affiliation: HIV Center for Clinical and Behavioral Studies, New York State Psychiatric Institute, Columbia University, NY 10032.
authors.forename: M J
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: Rotheram-Borus
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Koopman
mesh_terms: D000163:Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D000293:Adolescent; D001741:Black or African American / Q000523:psychology; D001727:Bisexuality / Q000523:psychology*; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006630:Hispanic or Latino / Q000523:psychology; D006716:Homosexuality / Q000523:psychology*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008913:Minority Groups; D009519:New York City / Q000453:epidemiology; D000297:Psychology, Adolescent; D012307:Risk Factors; D012309:Risk-Taking; D012725:Sexual Behavior; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires