A SURVEY OF ATTITUDES, KNOWLEDGE, AND BEHAVIOR RELATED TO HIV TESTINGOF ADOLESCENTS AND YOUNG-ADULTS ENROLLED IN ALCOHOL AND DRUG-TREATMENT

The objectives of this study were to assess attitudes, knowledge, and behavior related to human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) antibody testin g of adolescents and young adults undergoing treatment for alcohol and drug problems. Setting and subjects were 101 adolescents and young ad ults enrolled in a New England substance abuse rehabilitation program. All subjects had heard about acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS ) and 84% desired an HIV antibody test if it were anonymous and confid ential. If found to be HIV positive, 83% stated that they would be les s likely to continue substance-abuse treatment, 64% would be more like ly to continue drug use, and 62% would be more likely to continue alco hol use. The likelihood of continuing school would decrease for 60%. S ixty percent would be more likely to increase use of condoms. Males we re more likely than females to want to leave treatment and school, ret urn to alcohol and drug use, and increase risk-taking behavior (p < 0. 02). These findings suggest that teenagers undergoing treatment for su bstance-abuse problems require careful and comprehensive pre- and post -test counseling and follow-up when undergoing HIV antibody testing. D eciding when to test for HIV may impact on the success of substance-ab use treatment, as well as ability to control spread of HIV infection.