Ww. Westhoff et al., HIV RISK BEHAVIORS - A COMPARISON OF US HISPANIC AND DOMINICAN-REPUBLIC YOUTH, AIDS education and prevention, 8(2), 1996, pp. 106-114
Sexual behaviors of adolescents place them at a high risk for HIV infe
ction and other sexually transmitted diseases. International compariso
ns of sexual risk-taking among youth employing a common set of survey
items are rare. Moreover, such studies can assist in explaining observ
ed differences in disease rates, or predicting future trends in transm
ission, and identifying health educational needs unique to a particula
r population or setting. To assess variations in risk-taking patterns,
a comparison of HIV behavioral risk factors was made between U.S. His
panic and Dominican Republic (D.R.) youth. The Spanish version of the
Youth Risk Behavior Surveillance (YRBS) survey was administered to 1,1
75 D.R. high school students. Responses were compared to those in the
U.S. from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's 1990 YRBS d
ata tape for 2285 Hispanic youth. Frequency and cross-tabulation data
were compared by country and gender. There were significant difference
s in AIDS education at school, discussions about AIDS conducted in the
home, age of first sexual experience, condom use, and past experience
with STDs. Results show that adolescents in both countries are at ris
k, but with different mediating factors. Inadequate condom use and ear
ly initiation of sex place the D.R. youth at risk, while more U.S. you
th are engaging in sexual intercourse and using alcohol or other drugs
in conjunction with sexual episodes. Some implications for prevention
education are discussed.