An assessment of the HIV/AIDS knowledge, attitudes, and behaviors of adolescents living in a large metropolitan area.
This article assesses the HIV/AIDS knowledge, attitudes, and behaviors of a predominately African-American sample of adolescents (N=1503) attending 8th grade in a major Southeastern metropolitan area. Although their knowledge about human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) transmission was high, respondents held several misconceptions about HIV and acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS), and not all students knew which type of condom effectively blocks HIV transmission. Respondents in general felt confident that they could resist pressure to smoke marijuana or drink alcohol, but were less confident of their ability to resist pressure to have sex. Sexual activity was also more prevalent than drinking and smoking marijuana among this group of adolescents. Information from this and similar assessments can facilitate responsiveness of healthcare professions to the current educational needs of adolescents.
DiIorio
Colleen
C
Department of Behavioral Sciences and Health Education, Rollins School of Public Health, Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia 30322, USA. cdiiori@sph.emory.edu
Van Marter
Deborah F
DF
Dudley
William N
WN
D000163:Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome / Q000517:prevention & control*; D000293:Adolescent; D001741:Black or African American; D000428:Alcohol Drinking / Q000208:ethnology; D005260:Female; D005845:Georgia; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000208:ethnology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D015438:Health Behavior / Q000208:ethnology; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008385:Marijuana Smoking / Q000208:ethnology; D010379:Peer Group; D012309:Risk-Taking; D012725:Sexual Behavior / Q000208:ethnology; D014505:Urban Population