title: Using mixed-method assessment to advance adolescent HIV prevention.
abstract: This two-phase, community-based pilot study examined the impact of an innovative calendar-based assessment on HIV risk perception and risk reduction planning with racially diverse youth aged 14 to 21 at a public health clinic. Participants (N = 232) completed a Sexual Health History Calendar (SHHC) assessing behaviors over the previous 12 months, risk self-appraisals, and future behavioral intentions. Youths' narratives included negative self-appraisals (36%), named a risk-related critical incident (13%) or regret (9%), or expressed increased risk awareness (9%) and need for behavior change (18%). A minority were positive (28%) or reflected improvement (7%). All Phase 2 participants (n = 122) identified at least one specific risky behavior they intended to change. These data and the SHHC's visual cues facilitated risk-reduction intervention tailored to the unique circumstances in which each youth's risk taking occurred. For nurses and other providers in clinical settings, the SHHC can offer a critical link between assessment and intervention.
authors.affiliation: University of Minnesota, St. Paul, USA cfisher@umn.edu.
authors.forename: Colleen M
authors.initials: CM
authors.lastname: Fisher
authors.affiliation: University of Minnesota, St. Paul, USA.
authors.forename: Michael G
authors.initials: MG
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.affiliation: Ingham County Health Department, Lansing, MI, USA.
authors.forename: Mary E
authors.initials: ME
authors.lastname: Boudreau
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D005260:Female; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000517:prevention & control*; D006801:Humans; D011314:Preventive Health Services / Q000379:methods*
keywords: HIV; adolescent; assessment; intervention; sexual risk; sexually transmitted infections