Characteristics of Adolescents Who Have Attempted to Avoid HIV and Who Have Communicated with Parents About Sex

Abstract

This study examined characteristics of a cross-section of adolescents by comparing those wh1o had attempted to avoid exposure to HIV versus those who had not. In addition, characteristics of adolescents who had communicated with parents about sexuality issues were examined Data were collected from 1,033 students in 13 California schools. Most students did not think they were likely to become infected with HIV; however, a majority of sexually active students reported that they had tried to avoid e-xposure. Half of the adolescents who reported that they had attempted to avoid exposure had done so by using condoms. Other findings suggest that communication with parents may play a positive role in the healthy sexual socialization of youth. Attention to characteristics of adolescents who have attempted to avoidHIVexposure and who have discussed sexuality with parents may help target interventions toward youth at higher risk for contracting the virus.