Intention to postpone sexual intention among Puerto Rican female adolescents

The purpose of this analysis is to examine the factors associated with intentions to initiate sexual intercourse among a group of female high school students in Puerto Rico. A large metropolitan high school was purposively selected for the study. The mean age of the girls who participated in the study (N = 133) was 16. 13 percent f the surveyed girls reported having had intercourse at some point in their lives. 45 percent indicated when answered that they were sure they would not initiate sex during the next year; 18 percent answered that it probably would not happen; and the others (28 percent) responded with an even 50-50 chance or more that it will probably happen. A multiple regression/correlation analysis showed that the mother's traditional sexual values along with the teen's own conventional behavior, traditional sexual values as well as a perception of conventional behavior by their peers were related to a lower expectation of sex initiation

Puerto Rican youth in drug treatment facilities: who volunteers for HIV testing?

This paper examines the characteristics of youngsters in drug treatment who volunteer for AIDS testing in comparison to those who do not. HIV Antibodies testing was offered on a voluntary basis to a sample of 250 Puerto Rican youngsters enrolled in three ambulatory drug treatment centers in 1991. Sixty-six percent of the youngsters agreed to take the test. Male adolescents who volunteered reported fewer years of education and were more likely to have dropped-out of school. Consistent with research findings among adults, those adolescents at greater risk of HIV infection as measured by drug use and sexual behaviors were more likely to volunteer for on-site testing for HIV infection. Higher rates of alcohol use and marijuana use differentiated volunteers from those who did not. Among the sexual behaviors investigated, number of partners, engaging in less risk reduction practices, having a sexual partner who had used illicit drugs and using condoms to avoid STD's were found to be significantly higher in volunteers