HIV knowledge, communication, and risk behaviors among white, Chinese-, and Filipino-American adolescents in a high-prevalence AIDS epicenter: a comparative analysis.

We conducted a comparative analysis of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) knowledge, communication, and risk behaviors among 1272 white, Chinese-, and Filipino-American 10th and 11th graders in San Francisco, California, a high-prevalence AIDS epicenter. We performed principal components analysis on an epidemiologic survey instrument, and we identified five factors: HIV prevention knowledge, sexual behavior risk index, drug use risk index, HIV misconceptions, and communication about HIV. White students had higher HIV prevention scores than did Chinese and Filipino students, and whites had significantly greater ability to communicate with others about HIV disease and prevention. Chinese- and Filipino-American students had fewer misconceptions about HIV than did white students. Ethnicity did not have a significant influence on sexual behavior or drug use risk indices. Findings are discussed with reference to culturally sensitive HIV education.