Gebre Y, Norman LR, Uche C; International Conference on AIDS (15th : 2004 : Bangkok, Thailand).
Int Conf AIDS. 2004 Jul 11-16; 15: abstract no. TuPeC4785.
University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY, United States
Background: As the number of HIV/AIDS cases continue to increase among youth aged 15-24, it becomes critically important to identify the factors that are contributing to this increase. Methods: National-level cross-sectional data across four time periods (1992, 1994, 1996, 2000) gathered from 2540 youth in Jamaica for eight outcomes are examined. The Chi-square test for trends in binomial proportions is employed for each outcome, separately by sex and age. Results: For males, consistent condom use and condom use at last sex with steady partners increased (p<.05; p<.0001, respectively). For females, only condom use at last sex with non-steady partners increased (p<.05) while condom use at last sex with steady partners decreased (p<.05). Furthermore, the proportion of females reporting multiple sex partners also increased (p<.0001). Both males and females who reported perceiving a moderate or great risk of contracting HIV decreased (p<.0001; p<.0001, respectively). For younger youth aged 15-19, consistent condom use with steady partners increased (p<.05) and those ever reporting having sex decreased (p<.001). For older youth aged 20-24, condom use at last sex with steady partners decreased (p<.01); and the proportion reporting ever having sex increased (p<.0001). However, among those reporting sexual initiation, the proportion having sex before the age of 14 years decreased (p<.0001). Conclusion Behavioural surveillance can be a viable tool for tracking behaviours among youth. Analyses revealed only a moderate number of increased protective behaviours. More effective targeted messages and programmes must be implemented in order to increase protective and decrease risk behaviours as well as research to identify factors that are contributing to continued risk.
Publication Types:
Keywords:
- Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome
- Adolescent
- Adolescent Behavior
- Female
- HIV Infections
- HIV Seropositivity
- Humans
- Jamaica
- Male
- Risk-Taking
- Safe Sex
Other ID:
UI: 102282602
From Meeting Abstracts