RACIAL-DIFFERENCES IN RURAL ADULTS ATTITUDES TOWARD ISSUES OF ADOLESCENT SEXUALITY

This study, based on a random sample of adults in a rural North Caroli na county, demonstrates racial differences in rural adults' attitudes relating to adolescent sexual issues. Blacks were 50% that public scho ols should provide general health care services, including pregnancy t esting and treatment of sexually transmitted diseases, to teenagers; h owever, they were only half as likely as Whites to approve of sexual e xperimentation by adolescents. The local community's attitudes must be considered in the implementation of rural adolescent health programs, including acquired immunodeficiency syndrome education.