title: Correlates of HIV risk among young adolescents in a large metropolitan midwestern epicenter.
abstract: This paper examines levels of participation in and correlates of AIDS-related risk behavior for young adolescents in high-risk communities as determined by proxy indicators such as rates of reported STDs and adolescent pregnancies. Seventh and eighth grade students from two middle schools and ninth grade students from the receiving high school were surveyed. Descriptive and inferential techniques examined grade, racial, behavioral, and gender differences in participation in risk (substance use and sexual activity) and protective (use of condoms and use of condoms and foam) behaviors. Grade, race, and sexual activity were significant correlates of both licit and illicit drug use. Gender, grade, race, and licit and illicit drug use were significant correlates of sexual activity. Results demonstrate that not only are adults and older teens at risk in these communities, but younger adolescents also are at risk. Findings indicate a need for comprehensive HIV prevention programs at younger ages.
authors.affiliation: Prevention Research Center, University of Illinois at Chicago 60607, USA.
authors.forename: S R
authors.initials: SR
authors.lastname: Levy
authors.forename: A S
authors.initials: AS
authors.lastname: Handler
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Weeks
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Lampman
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Perhats
authors.forename: T Q
authors.initials: TQ
authors.lastname: Miller
authors.forename: B R
authors.initials: BR
authors.lastname: Flay
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000294:Adolescent Behavior / Q000208:ethnology; D000428:Alcohol Drinking / Q000523:psychology; D016009:Chi-Square Distribution; D017280:Condoms; D003268:Contraception Behavior; D003710:Demography; D004522:Educational Status; D005260:Female; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000517:prevention & control; D006801:Humans; D007087:Illinois; D016015:Logistic Models; D008297:Male; D016017:Odds Ratio; D012307:Risk Factors; D012309:Risk-Taking; D012737:Sex Factors; D012725:Sexual Behavior / Q000208:ethnology; D012907:Smoking / Q000523:psychology; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D019966:Substance-Related Disorders / Q000523:psychology; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014505:Urban Population