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The Context of HIV Risk Among Drug Users and Their Sexual Partners

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<strong>HIV</strong> <strong>Risk</strong> in Adolescents: <strong>The</strong><br />

Role <strong>of</strong> <strong>Sexual</strong> Activity <strong>and</strong><br />

Substance Use Behaviors<br />

Cherrie B. Boyer <strong>and</strong> Jonathan M. Ellen<br />

INTRODUCTION<br />

In order to underst<strong>and</strong> adolescents’ risk for acquiring the human<br />

immunodeficiency virus (<strong>HIV</strong>), it is first imperative to have knowledge<br />

<strong>of</strong> the sociodemographic characteristics <strong>of</strong> the adolescent population as<br />

well as the significance <strong>of</strong> developmental <strong>and</strong> psychosocial changes<br />

during adolescence that influence their behavior. Moreover, it is<br />

necessary to underst<strong>and</strong> differences in the prevalence <strong>and</strong> patterns <strong>of</strong> risk<br />

behaviors in adolescents as well as the context in which these behaviors<br />

occur, since exposure to <strong>HIV</strong> is not equal among all adolescents.<br />

<strong>The</strong>refore, this chapter includes an overview <strong>of</strong> the prevalence <strong>of</strong><br />

negative health outcomes <strong>of</strong> adolescent risk-taking behaviors, with a<br />

particular focus on acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS), <strong>HIV</strong>,<br />

sexually transmitted diseases (STDs), <strong>and</strong> pregnancy; a description <strong>of</strong> the<br />

primary risk factors that are associated with acquisition <strong>and</strong> transmission<br />

<strong>of</strong> STDs/<strong>HIV</strong>; <strong>and</strong> a brief overview <strong>of</strong> the antecedents <strong>and</strong> correlates <strong>of</strong><br />

sexual <strong>and</strong> alcohol/drug-using behaviors, with an emphasis on<br />

sociodemographic <strong>and</strong> psychosocial factors.<br />

Sociodemographic Factors: Who Are the Youth at <strong>Risk</strong>?<br />

<strong>The</strong>re are approximately 28 million youth <strong>and</strong> adolescents in the United<br />

States between the ages <strong>of</strong> 10 <strong>and</strong> 17. Most individuals between these<br />

ages are white (81 percent); 15 percent are African American; <strong>and</strong><br />

4 percent are <strong>of</strong> other ethnic <strong>and</strong> racial backgrounds. Of all adolescents,<br />

10 percent are categorized as being <strong>of</strong> Spanish/Latin ancestry. However,<br />

in the West <strong>and</strong> Southwest regions <strong>of</strong> the country (primarily California<br />

<strong>and</strong> Texas), the majority <strong>of</strong> the schoolage children are Hispanic or <strong>of</strong><br />

other nonwhite origin. <strong>The</strong> nonwhite population is increasing, due<br />

largely to higher rates <strong>of</strong> birth <strong>and</strong> immigration. By the year 2000,<br />

20 percent <strong>of</strong> adolescents in the United States will be African American<br />

<strong>and</strong> 18 percent will be Hispanic; by 2010, Hispanic adolescents will<br />

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