HIV-RELATED KNOWLEDGE AND RISK BEHAVIORS OF STREET YOUTH IN BELO-HORIZONTE, BRAZIL

Individual interviews were conducted with 379 youth who work and/or li ve on the streets of a large Brazilian city to assess HIV-related know ledge, sources of information, risk behaviors, and prevention beliefs and strategies, Respondents demonstrated high levels of factual knowle dge about HIV transmission (84% correct) coupled with high levels of m isconceptions about casual transmission (53% correct) and intermediate levels of knowledge about prevention (64% correct). Only 54% of the r espondents had heard about AIDS recently, and 37.5% said they talked t o someone about AIDS, The most common sources of information about HIV /AIDS were the mass-media and friends. Over half the sample reported t aking precautions to reduce their risk of HIV infection; however, the proportion of youth taking effective precautions was low. Among the 24 7 youth (65% of the sample) who had initiated sexual activity, lifetim e condom use was reported by 18%, and condom use at last intercourse b y 10%. Youth with higher levels of knowledge were more likely to repor t behavior changes to avoid HIV infection. These findings underscore t he urgent need for prevention programs tailored to street youth in dev eloping countries.