AIDS and the adolescent.
Recent findings on young people's response to HIV/AIDS and its perceived relevance to their sexual lives are reviewed. Research into adolescent sexual behaviour suggests a trend, over the last 2 decades, for an earlier age of first intercourse and a greater number of recent and lifetime sexual partners. Older cohorts of adolescents and those with either multiple partners or more 'steady' partners have been found to have lower rates of condom use. Data on the prevalence of specific sexual activities such as anal intercourse, while sparse, suggests a considerable number of young people engaging in behaviours carrying some risk of HIV infection. It is clear that sex education programmes which simply advocate 'safer sex' practices without addressing the interpersonal skills and emotional implications of negotiating such practices, and which do not provide a positive view of sexual health, are failing to influence adolescent behaviour. Recent research has highlighted a number of issues that need addressing if sex education and HIV/AIDS prevention campaigns are to be effective.
Graham
C A
CA
D000293:Adolescent; D000294:Adolescent Behavior; D000328:Adult; D005060:Europe / Q000453:epidemiology; D005260:Female; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000517:prevention & control*; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D015995:Prevalence; D012736:Sex Education; D012725:Sexual Behavior