AIDS knowledge, condom attitudes, and risk-taking sexual behavior of substance-abusing juvenile offenders on probation or parole

Abstract

AIDS knowledge, condom attitudes, and sexual behavior were examined in a sample of 193 substance-abusing juvenile offenders on probation or parole. The majority of these youths reported being sexually active, and many admitted to early onset of sexual activity as well as unsafe sexual practices. Potential predictors of condom use by these juveniles were examined including age, condom use at first sexual experience, number of sexual partners in the last 6 months, locus of control, AIDS knowledge, condom attitudes, perceived risk for AIDS, self-efficacy for avoiding HIV, condom use by peers, delinquency risk, race, and gender. General attitudes toward condoms and the reported use of a condom at first sexual intercourse experience were the only statistically significant predictors of subsequent condom use. The relevance of these findings to the development of AIDS prevention programs for juvenile offenders is discussed.

PIP: This study examines knowledge on AIDS, condom attitudes, and sexual behavior in a sample of 193 substance-abusing juvenile offenders on probation or parole in Mississippi. The participants were paid US$10 to complete self-administered questionnaires containing items regarding the adolescent's value, parental disciplinary practices, locus of control, condom attitudes, AIDS knowledge, sexual behavior frequency for the previous 6 months, where and from whom they obtained information about sex, perception of personal AIDS risks, and their self-efficacy in avoiding HIV infection. The majority of these youths reported being sexually active, and many admitted to early onset of sexual activity as well as unsafe sexual practices. The findings also support those of others, which reports that delinquents are likely to engage in behaviors, which place them at high-risk for HIV infection and sexually transmitted diseases (STDs). Other important findings emerged regarding condom use by juvenile offenders: positive attitudes towards the use of condoms and condom use at first intercourse predict subsequent condom use. These findings are particularly relevant to the development of AIDS prevention programs with juvenile offenders having found no relationship between levels of awareness, knowledge, or concern about HIV/AIDS and risky sexual behavior. Further, juvenile offenders are unlikely to abstain from sexual activity, and once they are sexually active, consistent condom use will lower their chances of contracting HIV infection and STDs. It is therefore of paramount importance that interventions be designed and implemented in an attempt to reduce these odds.