Author ORCID Identifier

Dexter R. Voisin

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

Rights

© 2012 Society for Adolescent Health and Medicine. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

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

Share

COinS
 
 

To view the content in your browser, please download Adobe Reader or, alternately,
you may Download the file to your hard drive.

NOTE: The latest versions of Adobe Reader do not support viewing PDF files within Firefox on Mac OS and if you are using a modern (Intel) Mac, there is no official plugin for viewing PDF files within the browser window.