Author ORCID Identifier
Document Type
Article
Publication Date
3-6-2012
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.
Keywords
African American girls, gender and power, STI prevention knowledge
Publication Title
Journal of Adolescent Health
Volume
51
Issue
2
First Page
197
Last Page
199
Rights
© 2012 Society for Adolescent Health and Medicine. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
Recommended Citation
Voisin DR, Tan K, Salazar LF, Crosby R, DiClemente RJ. Correlates of sexually transmitted infection prevention knowledge among African American girls. J Adolesc Health. 2012 Aug;51(2):197-9. doi: 10.1016/j.jadohealth.2011.12.022. Epub 2012 Mar 6. PMID: 22824452; PMCID: PMC3405536.
Comments
This is a peer reviewed Accepted Manuscript of an article published by Elsevier in Journal of Adolescent Health, available at: 10.1016/j.jadohealth.2011.12.022