When a relationship is imperative, will young women knowingly place their sexual health at risk? A sample of African American adolescent girls in the juvenile justice system
Jerris L. Raiford A F , Puja Seth A B , Amy M. Fasula A C and Ralph J. DiClemente D E
+ Author Affiliations
- Author Affiliations
A Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Division of HIV/AIDS Prevention, 1600 Clifton Road NE, Mailstop E-59, Atlanta, GA 30333, USA.
B Present address: Division of Unintentional Injury Prevention, 4770 Buford Highway NE, MS F-62, Atlanta, GA 30341-3717, USA.
C Division of Reproductive Health, 4770 Buford Highway, MS F74, Atlanta, GA 30341-3717, USA.
D Emory University, Rollins School of Public Health, Department of Behavioral Sciences & Health Education, 1518 Clifton Road, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA.
E Center for AIDS Research, Social & Behavioral Science Core, 201 Dowman Drive, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA.
F Corresponding author. Email: jraiford@cdc.gov
Sexual Health 14(4) 331-337 https://doi.org/10.1071/SH16160
Submitted: 7 September 2016 Accepted: 14 February 2017 Published: 27 April 2017
Abstract
Background: HIV and other sexually transmissible infections (HIV/STIs) are significant contributors to adolescent girls’ morbidity in the US. Risks for HIV/STIs are increased among adolescent girls involved in the juvenile justice system, and African American adolescent girls comprise nearly 50% of adolescent girls in detention centres. Although HIV prevention programs focus on HIV/STI knowledge, increased knowledge may not be sufficient to reduce sexual risk. The present study examined the interactive effects of HIV/STI knowledge and the importance of being in a relationship (a relationship imperative) on sexual risk behaviours in a sample of detained African American adolescent girls. Methods: In all, 188 African American adolescent girls, 13–17 years of age, were recruited from a short-term detention facility in Atlanta, Georgia, and completed assessments on sexual risk behaviours, relationship characteristics, HIV/STI knowledge and several psychosocial risk factors. Results: When girls endorsed a relationship imperative, higher HIV/STI knowledge was associated with low partner communication self-efficacy, inconsistent condom use and unprotected sex, when controlling for demographics and self-esteem. Conclusions: Young girls with high HIV/STI knowledge may have placed themselves at risk for HIV/STIs given the importance and value they place on being in a relationship. Contextual factors should be considered when developing interventions.
Additional keywords: condom use, detention, detained, HIV/STI, incarcerated, knowledge.
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