OBJECTIVE: To quantitatively understand the association between exposure to community violence and HIV risk behavior among Black male youth. METHODS: A sample of 250 male high school students ages 14 to19 completed a self-administered survey which included questions on: demographics, witnessing and being a victim of community violence, social network profiles, self-efficacy and HIV risk assessment. RESULTS: More than half (55.9%) experienced being robbed or mugged; and (43.8%) witnessed someone mutilated or seriously injured in a non-gang related incident. Among all sexually active males more than half (66.2%) engaged in one or more HIV risk behaviors in the last 12 months (i.e. sex without condoms, sex after drug use, sex with concurrent partners, and a history of STDs). Using hierarchical multiple regression and controlling for social support, network profiles and perceived self-efficacy two of the study's main hypotheses were confirmed: 1) Males who witnessed community violence were more likely to initiate sexual activity at an earlier age compared to males who did not witness community violence and; 2) Males who were victims of community violence were more likely to engage in HIV risk behaviors compared to than those who were non-victims of community violence. CONCLUSION: Interventions designed to prevent sexual risk behavior among Black males need to consider the multiple pathways in which witnessing and being a victim of community violence is associated with increased sexual risk behaviors.
Learning Objectives: 1. Identify and describe at least 5 interventions helpful in reducing HIV risk behavior. 2. Understand how exposure to community violence contributes to patterns of HIV risks
Keywords: Violence, HIV Risk Behavior
Presenting author's disclosure statement:
Organization/institution whose products or services will be discussed: None
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.