CHARACTERISTICS OF TEENS TESTED FOR HIV IN A METROPOLITAN-AREA

Purpose: This article describes the status of HIV infection in an adol escent population attending publicly supported HIV testing clinics in Houston. Methods: Records were reviewed of 4017 teenagers receiving HI V counseling and testing services over a period of three years (januar y 1990 to December 1992). We analyzed demographic characteristics, ris k exposure groups, results of HIV antibody testing, and post-test coun seling return rates. Results: An overall seroprevalence rate of 10.2 p er 1000 was observed, with the majority of cases seen among black fema les. Forty-nine percent of teens with the virus failed to acknowledge a risk factor, but of those who did, male-to-male sexual contact was t he most frequently reported. None who tested positive reported injecte d drug use. The majority of teens tested never returned to obtain thei r test results and post-test counseling. Conclusions: In order to rein force preventive behavior, institutional and other barriers should be examined and priority given to contacting both seropositive and high-r isk clients who have sought testing. Interventions that encourage cond om use or address sexual behavior may be more beneficial to teens than those that simply focus on drug use.