Adolescents' attitudes about HIV immunization

Objective: To evaluate the associations of health beliefs and health behavi ors with attitudes about HIV immunization in a sample of adolescent clinic patients. Method: Written self-report questionnaires were administered to 318 adolesc ents, 13 to 18 years of age (86% female; 72% African American). Results: Although the group as a whole reported a positive attitude about a n HIV vaccine, results of regression analyses indicated that several health beliefs were significant independent predictors of vaccine acceptability. In general, health behaviors were not strong predictors of attitudes about HIV vaccination, though some results suggested that those behaviorally at h ighest risk of HIV exposure accepted immunization more readily. Conclusions: The findings indicate that attitudinal factors may ultimately influence acceptance of HIV immunization. Results are discussed in terms of the importance of continued study of HIV vaccine acceptability, in concert with research focused on vaccine development.