SIMILARITIES IN SEXUAL-ACTIVITY AND CONDOM USE AMONG FRIENDS WITHIN GROUPS BEFORE AND AFTER A RISK-REDUCTION INTERVENTION

One promising avenue for augmenting the effect of interventions design ed to reduce risk behaviors for acquisition of the human immunodeficie ncy virus (HIV) among adolescents is the use of peer influence through friendship groups. In this study, conducted among 76 groups of Africa n American adolescents, the authors sought to determine whether the si milarity of behaviors among group members persists over time and wheth er the similarity is enhanced through a risk-reduction intervention. Y outh within groups were more similar compared to youth between groups with respect to sexual behaviors, expectations, and feelings at the ba seline and through 18 months of follow-up. An HIV risk-reduction inter vention that increased condom use also increased similarity of condom use among youth within intervention groups at 6 and 18 months postinte rvention. These data provide empiric support for the hypothesis that d elivery of HIV-prevention efforts through groups of friends may be a u seful intervention adjunct.