Sexual Health Information Networks: What are Urban African American Youth Learning?

Abstract

This qualitative study examined sexual health information networks among urban African American youth living in low-income communities. The authors identified sources, message content, and utility of messages about sex and sexual health in a sample of 15-17-year olds (N = 81). Youth received sexual health information from a variety of sources. Messages from parents and sex education had high utility, whereas messages from the Internet and religion had low utility. Four information network patterns were identified, suggesting considerable variation in how youth are socialized regarding sex. Findings suggest that sexual information networks have the potential to affect sexual health and development.

Figure 1

Percent reporting sources by gender and sexual experience. Males = left column: Dark grey (lower) sexually inexperienced; Light grey (upper) sexually experienced. Females = Right column: Black (lower) sexually inexperienced; White (upper) sexually experienced. ^aOther sources included self (common sense, experience), job, outreach materials, condom packaging, community centers. ^bOther adults included adult staff at community centers, celebrities, teachers, coaches, friends of the family.