PURPOSE: (1) To determine whether adolescents systematically underestimate their relative risk for STDs and HIV; and (2) to determine to what extent anxiety about STDs and HIV, past condom use, number of lifetime partners and STD/HIV-related beliefs predict perceived relative risk. METHODS: Two hundred and thirty-one sexually experienced, racially diverse, urban high school teenagers (mean age = 15.5 years; 53% male) were surveyed regarding their STD/HIV-related attitudes, beliefs, and behaviors. RESULTS: The subjects did not perceive themselves to be at lower risk compared to their perceptions of the risk of other people their age for STDs or HIV. Using hierarchical multiple linear regression analysis, perceptions of lower relative risk for STDs and for HIV were predicted by higher levels of anxiety (p < .001) but not by past condom use, number of lifetime partners or STD/HIV-related beliefs (p > .05). CONCLUSIONS: Adolescents' perceptions of risk appear to be related to anxiety about STDs and HIV and their behaviors may be related to peer influences and attitudes toward using condoms.
PURPOSE: (1) To determine whether adolescents systematically underestimate their relative risk for STDs and HIV; and (2) to determine to what extent anxiety about STDs and HIV, past condom use, number of lifetime partners and STD/HIV-related beliefs predict perceived relative risk. METHODS: Two hundred and thirty-one sexually experienced, racially diverse, urban high school teenagers (mean age = 15.5 years; 53% male) were surveyed regarding their STD/HIV-related attitudes, beliefs, and behaviors. RESULTS: The subjects did not perceive themselves to be at lower risk compared to their perceptions of the risk of other people their age for STDs or HIV. Using hierarchical multiple linear regression analysis, perceptions of lower relative risk for STDs and for HIV were predicted by higher levels of anxiety (p < .001) but not by past condom use, number of lifetime partners or STD/HIV-related beliefs (p > .05). CONCLUSIONS: Adolescents' perceptions of risk appear to be related to anxiety about STDs and HIV and their behaviors may be related to peer influences and attitudes toward using condoms.
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Keywords:
Adolescents; Age Factors; Americas; Attitude; Behavior; Demographic Factors; Developed Countries; Diseases; Evaluation; Hiv Infections; Infections; North America; Northern America; Perception; Population; Population Characteristics; Psychological Factors; Reproductive Tract Infections; Research Methodology; Risk Assessment; Risk Behavior; Sampling Studies; Self-perception; Sexually Transmitted Diseases; Studies; Surveys; United States; Viral Diseases; Youth
Authors: Jessica M Sales; Josh Spitalnick; Robin R Milhausen; Gina M Wingood; Ralph J DiClemente; Laura F Salazar; Richard A Crosby Journal: Health Educ Res Date: 2008-03-18
Authors: J A Gascón Jiménez; B Navarro Gochicoa; F J Gascón Jiménez; L A Pérula De Torres; A Jurado Porcel; G Montes Redondo Journal: Aten Primaria Date: 2003 Impact factor: 1.137
Authors: Ya-Huei Li; Osaro Mgbere; Susan Abughosh; Hua Chen; Paula Cuccaro; Andrea Smesny; Ekere James Essien Journal: HIV AIDS (Auckl) Date: 2019-02-20