Objectives. HIV transmission behaviors and health practices of HIV-infected
youths were examined over a period of 15 months after they received a prev
entive intervention.
Methods. HIV-infected youths aged 13 to 24 years (n = 310; 27% African Amer
ican, 37% Latino) were assigned by small cohort to (1) a 2-module ("Stay He
althy" and "Act Safe") intervention totaling 23 sessions or (2) a control c
ondition. Among those in the intervention condition, 73% attended at least
I session.
Results. Subsequent to the "Stay Healthy" module, number of positive lifest
yle changes and active coping styles increased more often among females who
attended the intervention condition than among those in the control condit
ion. Social support coping also increased significantly among males and fem
ales attending the intervention condition compared with those attending the
control condition. Following the "Act Safe" module, youths who attended th
e intervention condition reported 82% fewer unprotected sexual acts, 45% fe
wer sexual partners, 50% fewer HIV-negative sexual partners, and 31% less s
ubstance use, on a weighted index, than those in the control condition.
Conclusions. Prevention programs can effectively reduce risk acts among HIV
-infected youths. Alternative formats need to be identified for delivering
interventions (e.g., telephone groups, individual sessions).