Barcelona 2013
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| Abstract #541 - E-Posters English | ||||
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Session: 50.27: E-Posters English (Poster) on Sunday in Chaired by Authors: Presenting Author: Professor Geri Donenberg - University of Illinois at Chicago, United States |
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| Additional Authors: Dr. Jordi Casabona, Sra Cristina Sanclemente, Dra. Anna Esteve, Dra. Victoria Gonzalez, Grupo HIVITS TS, | ||||
| Aim: Approximately 1.5 million youth will spend time in jail or detention in their lifetime, and a disproportionate number will be ethnic minorities. Despite high rates of mental illness, substance use, and sexually transmitted infections among juvenile offenders, few HIV/AIDS prevention programs exist for them. This small-scale study designed and pilot tested PHAT Life, an innovative HIV and substance use prevention program for young offenders on probation. | ||||
| Method / Issue: PHAT Life addresses individual and social mechanisms related to HIV-risk, including emotion regulation, peer norms, partner communication, relationship characteristics, and HIV, STI, and substance use. PHAT Life was derived from a carefully staged process that included an active multi-disciplinary advisory board, a youth advisory board, focus groups, two pilot tests, extensive feedback, and a series of curriculum revisions over three years. Fifty-four males and females, 13-17 years old (M=15.7), and 93% African American completed a baseline and 3-month follow up assessment with 100% retention. Boys (75%) and girls (50%) reported lifetime sexual activity. Among sexually active youth, 32% did not use a condom at last sex, and 38% used alcohol/marijuana at last sex. | ||||
| Results / Comments: Teens were over three times more likely to seek HIV counseling at follow-up. Alcohol use decreased by 59% and ratings of temptation to use alcohol declined overall, including in situations involving negative affect. HIV prevention knowledge increased, and general HIV attitudes improved. Peer norms supporting prevention behavior also improved, but only for boys. Talking to a partner about using condoms increased from 41% to 56%. | ||||
| Discussion: PHAT Life shows promise in reducing risk behavior, improving attitudes about HIV prevention, and addressing intersecting health disparities of mental illness, substance use, and HIV-risk among juvenile offenders. Without intervention, the long-term outcomes for juvenile offenders is poor, yet effective programs can alter these trajectories and begin to redress existing health disparities. | ||||
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