PURPOSE: The study aimed to determine the longitudinal associations between several variables assessing positive youth development and HIV risk-reduction practices. METHODS: Participants were 329 youth enrolled in out-of-school time programs in New York City. Longitudinal data were collected in three waves during 2008-2009 (baseline, 6-month follow-up, and 12-month follow-up). Because of the nested nature of the data, multivariate analyses were performed using multilevel models. RESULTS: At baseline, HIV risk reduction was associated with female gender, greater individual-level program participation, and greater school connectedness. Over time, HIV risk reduction was associated with program-level participation: Individuals in groups with program-level participation scores 1 standard deviation below the average showed significant declines in risk reduction practices over the 1-year study period compared with individuals in more participatory programs. CONCLUSIONS: This study provides support for the out-of-school environment as an important context for sustaining HIV risk reduction and positive health promotion practices.
PURPOSE: The study aimed to determine the longitudinal associations between several variables assessing positive youth development and HIV risk-reduction practices. METHODS:Participants were 329 youth enrolled in out-of-school time programs in New York City. Longitudinal data were collected in three waves during 2008-2009 (baseline, 6-month follow-up, and 12-month follow-up). Because of the nested nature of the data, multivariate analyses were performed using multilevel models. RESULTS: At baseline, HIV risk reduction was associated with female gender, greater individual-level program participation, and greater school connectedness. Over time, HIV risk reduction was associated with program-level participation: Individuals in groups with program-level participation scores 1 standard deviation below the average showed significant declines in risk reduction practices over the 1-year study period compared with individuals in more participatory programs. CONCLUSIONS: This study provides support for the out-of-school environment as an important context for sustaining HIV risk reduction and positive health promotion practices.
Authors: Loretta E Gavin; Richard F Catalano; Corinne David-Ferdon; Kari M Gloppen; Christine M Markham Journal: J Adolesc Health Date: 2010-03 Impact factor: 5.012
Authors: Brandon D L Marshall; Thomas Kerr; Jean A Shoveller; Thomas L Patterson; Jane A Buxton; Evan Wood Journal: Health Place Date: 2009-01-08 Impact factor: 4.078