Sarah L. Kennedy
Published: 2006
Total Pages: 304
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African American (AA) adolescents are currently at disproportionate risk for HIV infection, with AA youth ages 13 through 19 accounting for 56% of all new HIV cases, a rate of infection 8 times that of Caucasian youth. Prevention researchers have targeted this population with a sense of urgency, resulting in numerous studies that have investigated predictors of sexual risk behaviors among AA youth. The results of these studies have yielded findings in a number of domains including environmental, individual, and interpersonal factors. However, reported findings are often inconsistent and synthesis of findings in this area is lagging. The present study synthesized data from 79 studies examining 11 domains of variables in association with 3 outcome variables: Unprotected Sex, Condom Use, and Multiple Sex partners. Intentions and partner variables were most predictive of sexual risk behaviors in this population. Further research is needed to investigate the role of partner-related influences in predicting sexual risk behaviors.