HIV risk behaviors among adolescents at a sexually transmitted disease clinic in New York City. 1996

R Heffernan, and M A Chiasson, and J E Sackoff
Bureau of Disease Intervention Research, New York City Department of Health, New York 10013, USA.

OBJECTIVE The purpose of this study was to describe human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-associated risk behaviors among adolescents attending a clinic for the treatment of sexually transmitted disease in New York City. METHODS A total of 4,585 volunteers were interviewed and HIV-tested, including 456 adolescents (aged 13-19 years), of whom 220 were women (48%) and 236 men (52%). RESULTS Fewer than 1% of the 456 adolescents said they injected drugs. Unprotected vaginal sex was the most common sexual behavior, with 93% of adolescents reporting "always" having vaginal sex, and 57% "rarely or never" using condoms. Anal sex was reported by 18%. Twenty percent of adolescent men had paid for sex, compared to just 1% of women, whereas 3% of men and 4% of women had traded sex for money or drugs. Nine women and three men tested HIV seropositive. All three HIV-positive men reported having had receptive anal sex with men. Among women, HIV seropositivity was most strongly associated with crack cocaine use and trading sex for money or drugs. CONCLUSIONS HIV prevalence was high, with most infections owing to sexual transmission rather than intravenous drugs. The increased risk of HIV infection in adolescent women was associated with high-risk sex related to crack use and the exchange of sex for money or drugs.

UI MeSH Term Description Entries
D008297 Male Males
D009519 New York City City located at the mouth of the Hudson River, in New York State.
D005260 Female Females
D006679 HIV Seropositivity Development of neutralizing antibodies in individuals who have been exposed to the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV/HTLV-III/LAV). AIDS Seroconversion,AIDS Seropositivity,Anti-HIV Positivity,HIV Antibody Positivity,HIV Seroconversion,HTLV-III Seroconversion,HTLV-III Seropositivity,AIDS Seroconversions,AIDS Seropositivities,Anti HIV Positivity,Anti-HIV Positivities,Antibody Positivities, HIV,Antibody Positivity, HIV,HIV Antibody Positivities,HIV Seroconversions,HIV Seropositivities,HTLV III Seroconversion,HTLV III Seropositivity,HTLV-III Seroconversions,HTLV-III Seropositivities,Positivities, Anti-HIV,Positivities, HIV Antibody,Positivity, Anti-HIV,Positivity, HIV Antibody,Seroconversion, AIDS,Seroconversion, HIV,Seroconversion, HTLV-III,Seroconversions, AIDS,Seroconversions, HIV,Seroconversions, HTLV-III,Seropositivities, AIDS,Seropositivities, HIV,Seropositivities, HTLV-III,Seropositivity, AIDS,Seropositivity, HIV,Seropositivity, HTLV-III
D006801 Humans Members of the species Homo sapiens. Homo sapiens,Man (Taxonomy),Human,Man, Modern,Modern Man
D000293 Adolescent A person 13 to 18 years of age. Adolescence,Youth,Adolescents,Adolescents, Female,Adolescents, Male,Teenagers,Teens,Adolescent, Female,Adolescent, Male,Female Adolescent,Female Adolescents,Male Adolescent,Male Adolescents,Teen,Teenager,Youths
D000294 Adolescent Behavior Any observable response or action of an adolescent. Behavior, Adolescent,Adolescent Behaviors,Behaviors, Adolescent
D000328 Adult A person having attained full growth or maturity. Adults are of 19 through 44 years of age. For a person between 19 and 24 years of age, YOUNG ADULT is available. Adults
D012307 Risk Factors An aspect of personal behavior or lifestyle, environmental exposure, inborn or inherited characteristic, which, based on epidemiological evidence, is known to be associated with a health-related condition considered important to prevent. Health Correlates,Risk Factor Scores,Risk Scores,Social Risk Factors,Population at Risk,Populations at Risk,Correlates, Health,Factor, Risk,Factor, Social Risk,Factors, Social Risk,Risk Factor,Risk Factor Score,Risk Factor, Social,Risk Factors, Social,Risk Score,Score, Risk,Score, Risk Factor,Social Risk Factor
D012309 Risk-Taking Undertaking a task involving a challenge for achievement or a desirable goal in which there is a lack of certainty or a fear of failure. It may also include the exhibiting of certain behaviors whose outcomes may present a risk to the individual or to those associated with him or her. Risk Behavior,Behavior, Risk,Behaviors, Risk,Risk Behaviors,Risk Taking

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