Firpo R, Re O, Morris R, Huscroft S, Zeljkovic S, Baker C; International Conference on AIDS.
Int Conf AIDS. 1992 Jul 19-24; 8: C301 (abstract no. PoC 4341).
Los Angeles County Juvenile Court Health Services.
ISSUE/PROBLEM: BSR and SW in abused and homeless teenagers is documented in the psychological literature. The HIV Counseling & Testing program for incarcerated youth in Los Angeles County (LA), has identified minors who engaged in these HIV high risk behaviors. DESCRIPTION OF PROJECT: In 1991 1,807 incarcerated 12 to 19 year old minors in LA received individual risk assessment interviews which included questions concerning BSR and SW. Behavioral data was analyzed separately for the two groups engaging in BSR and SW, and compared with the total sample. Statistical significance was established at p less than = to .05. RESULTS: Of 1,807 minors 141 (8%) had been involved in BSR and 33 in SW. In comparison to the total sample, both groups (BSR/SW) became sexually active earlier (p = .01/p = .001), twice as many had sex with IVDUs (p = .003/p = .0001), and were involved in more pregnancies (p = .01). Twenty-five to 50% of both groups began using drugs and alcohol at or before 11 years of age (p less than .001) and had higher incidence of IV drug use (p = .004/p = .001) The SW group had a 10 times higher incidence of Hepatitis than the total sample (p = .004). SW group was significantly more willing to be tested for HIV and had less fear of contracting AIDS (p= less than .001). Of 1190 tested for HIV, 3 were HIV+, one of which was involved in BSR and SW. LESSONS LEARNED: This survey suggests that 10% of the adolescents engage in either or SW or BSR, high risk behaviors for HIV infection. These adolescence also have higher rates of other risky behaviors. HIV education for incarcerated minors should include information about the risks of BSR/SW. Further study to determine the extent of and implications of BSR and SW are needed.
Publication Types:
Keywords:
- Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome
- Adolescent
- Adolescent Behavior
- Counseling
- Data Collection
- HIV Infections
- HIV Seropositivity
- Humans
- Incidence
- Los Angeles
- Prisoners
- Substance-Related Disorders
- blood
Other ID:
UI: 102199765
From Meeting Abstracts