Rebecca R. Swenson|Christie J. Rizzo|Larry K. Brown|Peter A. Vanable|Michael P. Carey|Robert F. Valois|Ralph J. DiClemente|Daniel Römer
HIV Knowledge and Its Contribution to Sexual Health Behaviors of Low-Income African American Adolescents
Hasbro Children's Hospital|Brown University|Rhode Island Hospital|Hasbro Children's Hospital|Brown University|Rhode Island Hospital|Hasbro Children's Hospital|Brown University|Rhode Island Hospital|Syracuse University|Syracuse University|University of South Carolina|Emory University|University of Pennsylvania
although many factors contribute racial disparities human immunodeficiency virus hivaids among young african americans knowledge particularly modifiable factor however little information published current hiv knowledge african american teens extent knowledge independently contributes sexual behavior health study aimed describe level knowledge among atrisk population determine whether knowledge contributes variance sexual behavior health beyond sociodemographic psychological factors african american adolescents n 1658 recruited 2 northeastern 2 southeastern us cities 74 eligible free reducedprice school lunch analyses utilized data gathered adolescents using audio computerassisted selfinterview program average participants answered 50 hiv knowledge items correctly least accurate concerning effective condom use hiv testing controlling associated sociodemographic psychological factors greater knowledge associated sexual experience among experienced adolescents sexually transmitted infectionhiv testing andunexpectedlyless condom use hiv knowledge modifiable limited among atrisk african american adolescents important contributor sexual behavior health findings indicate need comprehensive hivaids education particularly regard condom use benefits routine sexually transmitted infectionhiv testing although knowledge might sufficiently protective accurate information hiv may benefit sexual health impacting healthpromoting attitudes necessary successful engagement health careseeking behavior