Characteristics of teens tested for HIV in a metropolitan area.
OBJECTIVE
This article describes the status of HIV infection in an adolescent population attending publicly supported HIV testing clinics in Houston.


METHODS
Records were reviewed of 4017 teenagers receiving HIV counseling and testing services over a period of three years (January 1990 to December 1992). We analyzed demographic characteristics, risk exposure groups, results of HIV antibody testing, and post-test counseling return rates.


RESULTS
An overall seroprevalence rate of 10.2 per 1000 was observed, with the majority of cases seen among black females. Forty-nine percent of teens with the virus failed to acknowledge a risk factor, but of those who did, male-to-male sexual contact was the most frequently reported. None who tested positive reported injected drug use. The majority of teens tested never returned to obtain their test results and post-test counseling.


CONCLUSIONS
In order to reinforce preventive behavior, institutional and other barriers should be examined and priority given to contacting both seropositive and high-risk clients who have sought testing. Interventions that encourage condom use or address sexual behavior may be more beneficial to teens than those that simply focus on drug use.
Ilegbodu
A E
AE
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030.
Frank
M L
ML
Poindexter
A N
AN
Johnson
D
D
D015492:AIDS Serodiagnosis / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D000293:Adolescent; D002648:Child; D003151:Community Health Centers / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D003376:Counseling / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D005260:Female; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000097:blood* / Q000453:epidemiology*; D015528:HIV Seroprevalence; D006301:Health Services Needs and Demand; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D010342:Patient Acceptance of Health Care; D011159:Population Surveillance; D012307:Risk Factors; D013781:Texas / Q000453:epidemiology; D014505:Urban Population