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NINR Study Points to Success of Program Aimed
at Reducing Risky Sexual Behavior Among Hispanic Youth
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Brief Description:
A study funded by the NINR shows that Hispanic teens who took part in
a culturally-tailored HIV risk reduction program were less-likely to
engage in risky sexual practices that can lead to HIV infection compared
to their counterparts who took part in a general health promotion program.
Transcript:
THORNTON: HIV infection in the Hispanic community remains
a serious problem, even more so among adolescents. According to the National
Institute of Nursing Research at the National Institutes of Health, HIV
and AIDS have a disproportionate affect on Hispanic adolescents — with
the incidence of AIDS for Hispanic youth and adults triple that of their
non-Hispanic white counterparts. One reason for this may be highlighted
in a national Youth Risk Behavior Surveillance System which found that
Hispanic youths are having more sex before the age of 13 and with multiple
sex partners at a higher rate than black or white adolescents. But there
are ways to combat this trend. A study funded by the NINR shows that
Hispanic teens who took part in a culturally-tailored HIV risk reduction
program were less-likely to engage in risky sexual practices that can
lead to HIV infection compared to their counterparts who took part in
a general health promotion program. The program is called "Cuidate!" which
means "Take Care of Yourself!". NINR Director Dr. Patricia A. Grady talked
about the program's success.
GRADY: The program was found to be successful in increasing
awareness of sexual practices and increasing the safety of sexual practices
in teenagers. In fact, it was found in the study group that they had
a decrease in sexual activity, sexual intercourse, a decrease in multiple
partners and an increase in safe sex practices when they did engage in
intercourse. So the long term outcome one expects with an intervention
such as this is it will prevent the transmission of HIV/AIDS.
THORNTON: The Center for Disease Control and Prevention
said in 2001 that HIV infection was the fourth leading cause of death
in Hispanics aged 25 to 44. The results of this study suggest that there
is a benefit to providing education on both abstinence and safe sex practices.
The results can be found in the August issue of Archives of Pediatric
and Adolescent Medicine. From the National Institutes of Health, I'm
Matt Thornton in Bethesda Maryland.
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