Correlates of STI prevention knowledge among African American girls

• Type of Material: Article
• Authors: Dexter R. Voisin, University of Chicago; Kevin Tan, University of Chicago; Laura F. Salazar, University of Chicago; Richard Crosby, University of Chicago; Ralph J. DiClemente, University of Chicago; Ralph Joseph Diclemente, Emory University
• Language: English
• Date: 2012-08-01
• Publisher: Elsevier
• Publication Version: Author Accepted Manuscript (After Peer Review)
• Copyright Statement: © 2012 Society for Adolescent Health and Medicine. All rights reserved.
• License: Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivs 4.0 International
• Final Published Version (URL): http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.jadohealth.2011.12.022
• Title of Journal or Parent Work: Journal of Adolescent Health
• ISSN: 1054-139X
• Volume: 51
• Issue: 2
• Start Page: 197
• End Page: 199
• Grant/Funding Information: This study was supported by a grant from the National Institute of Mental Health (RO 1 MH61210) awarded to Dr. Ralph DiClemente.
• Keywords: Public, Environmental & Occupational Health; WOMEN; HIV/AIDS; Science & Technology; Psychology; Psychology, Developmental; African American girls; GENDER; STI prevention knowledge; Social Sciences; Gender and power; Life Sciences & Biomedicine; Pediatrics
• Research Categories: Health Sciences, Occupational Health and Safety; Health Sciences, Public Health; Psychology, Developmental

Abstract

Purpose: To identify significant factors that distinguish African American girls who have high sexually transmitted infection (STI) prevention knowledge from those lacking such knowledge. Methods: We recruited a sample of 715 African American girls from three public health clinics in downtown Atlanta. Using audio computer-assisted self-interviewing (A-CASI) technology, we assessed for age, self-mastery, employment status, attendance at sex education classes, socioeconomic status, and STI prevention knowledge. Results: Slightly more than one-third of the girls did not know that females are more susceptible to STI infections than males; and that having an STI increases the risk of contracting HIV. Almost half of the girls did not know if a man has an STI he will not have noticeable symptoms; and that most people who have AIDS look healthy. Logistic regression findings indicated that being older, having greater self-mastery, and being employed significantly predicted high STI knowledge. Conclusions: Health educators may especially target African American girls who are younger, unemployed, and experiencing low self-mastery for more tailored STI heath education.