Alcohol use and sexual behavior among "black" adolescents

This paper reports on findings collected from 1993-1995 from an ethnographi c interview study that investigated whether a pattern of HIV-related risk b ehavior varies across subpopulations of minority adolescents by studying be haviors and perceptions of risk for HIV infection among two ethnic groups o f 314 Black adolescents-African-American and Haitian Blacks. Of those who h ad sex within the past 6 months and were current drinkers, 69% said they di d not have sex after drinking. Although many of the adolescents believe tha t drinking has a disinhibitory effect and may be a factor in nonuse of cond oms, alcohol is but one element in a constellation of factors related to se xual intercourse and condom use.