NCJ Number
216883
Journal
Substance Use & Misuse: An International Interdisciplinary Forum Volume: 41 Issue: 13 Dated: 2006 Pages: 1769-1788
Date Published
2006
Length
20 pages
Annotation
This study examined the relationship between alcohol severity and sexual risk behaviors among juvenile offenders at high risk for HIV/AIDS.
Abstract
Results indicated that the severity of alcohol use was significantly associated with greater risk for HIV infection due to high levels of sexually risky behaviors. Alcohol use severity was related to problematic attitudes and beliefs regarding HIV/AIDS, which could conceivably reduce the impact of interventions designed to reduce risky behaviors. On the other hand, results revealed that high levels of alcohol use were related to greater knowledge about HIV/AIDS. This finding is consistent with previous findings that showed that greater knowledge might be unrelated to safer behavior practices. Indeed, the youths in this study who had high levels of alcohol use reported few intentions to engage in safer sexual practices. The findings suggest the need for combined interventions that attempt to reduce alcohol use as well as risky sexual behaviors. Participants were 634 inner-city, culturally diverse adolescents (459 males and 175 females) who were enrolled in 2 NIH-funded HIV prevention projects that targeted offenders in juvenile detention and in a court-ordered treatment center. Participants were interviewed regarding their knowledge, attitudes, and behaviors related to HIV/AIDS, alcohol and drug use, and personality characteristics. Data were analyzed using the SPSS statistical software package and included covariate and multivariate analyses. Future studies should examine additional variables, such as the impact of affective problems, peer relationships, and network membership on the relationship between alcohol use and risky sexual behaviors. Tables, glossary, references