title: Understanding high school students' risk behaviors to help reduce the HIV/AIDS epidemic in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa.
abstract: Of 901 rural learners (X age 16.1, SD = 2.4) at 10 randomly selected high schools in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa, those living with a parent were less likely to drink alcohol (P < 0.0001) or use drugs (P = 0.006). Thirty percent (95% CI 26.9, 33.1) were sexually active, and 53.1% used a condom in the past 30 days. The odds of males being sexually active was 7.27 the likelihood of females (95% CI 5.2, 10.1). Only one-third of male respondents always used condoms. Of sexually active respondents, 46.5% had experienced coercive sex. More males (14.1%) than females (3.6%) smoked cigarettes (P < 0.0001). The odds of males drinking alcohol was 4.5 times that of females (P < 0.0001). Smoking, (OR 2.42, 95% CI 1.32, 4.44) and drinking, (OR 2.67, 95% CI 1.71, 4.19) among learners increased the likelihood of sexual activity. With youth at increasing risk of HIV/AIDS in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa, interventions to reduce learners' risk behaviors are required.
authors.affiliation: Dept. of Community Health, Nelson R. Mandela School of Medicine, Private Bag 7, Congella, 4013, University of Natal, South Africa. Taylor@nu.ac.za
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Taylor
authors.forename: S B
authors.initials: SB
authors.lastname: Dlamini
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Kagoro
authors.forename: C C
authors.initials: CC
authors.lastname: Jinabhai
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: de Vries
mesh_terms: D000163:Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D000293:Adolescent; D000294:Adolescent Behavior / Q000523:psychology*; D000328:Adult; D000428:Alcohol Drinking / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000453:epidemiology; D016009:Chi-Square Distribution; D002648:Child; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D016015:Logistic Models; D008297:Male; D012307:Risk Factors; D012309:Risk-Taking; D012423:Rural Health / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D017678:Sex Distribution; D012725:Sexual Behavior / Q000523:psychology* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D012749:Sexually Transmitted Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D012907:Smoking / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000453:epidemiology; D013019:South Africa / Q000453:epidemiology; D013334:Students / Q000523:psychology* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires