Adolescents in the age of AIDS: myths, misconceptions, and misunderstandings regarding sexually transmitted diseases.

The purpose of this study is twofold: to evaluate the extent of knowledge possessed by young people residing in an urban sexually transmitted disease (STD) and AIDS epicenter about STDs, including AIDS; and to determine whether knowledge levels varied by age, gender, race/ ethnicity, and/or previous health instruction. A total of 867 adolescents (472 females and 395 males) attending a large public high school in New York City completed a self-administered survey. Levels of knowledge about AIDS transmission and prevention were high (mean percentage correct = 91.8%). Nonetheless, adolescent respondents locked awareness about the prevalence of common STDs, had limited understanding of the ways in which these diseases can be transmitted and prevented, and were unaware of potentially serious sequelae resulting from exposure to infectious agents (e.g., infertility from chlamydial infections). Young people who had taken a health education course in which STDs were discussed did slightly better on the knowledge survey than did their peers. While the prevention of HIV infection is, and should be, a national priority, more concerted efforts are needed to better educate young people about other STDs in the overall context of sexual health.

Love shouldn't hurt: strategies for health care providers to address adolescent dating violence.

Estimates of the prevalence of dating violence among adolescents range from 9% to 60%. Teens in all ethnic groups, socioeconomic strata, and geographic regions report involvement. The spectrum of abuse includes verbal, physical, and sexual violence. Young men and women are involved as both victims and perpetrators. Female teens inflict more minor physical injuries than male teens, but are also likely to receive more significant physical injuries and are more likely to be sexually victimized. Contextual (aggressive personalities, acceptance of dating violence, exposure to familial violence) and situational factors (relationship problems, alcohol and drug use, jealousy) contribute to aggressive behavior. Effective prevention, early detection, and treatment strategies require coordinated school, community, legal, and health care provider interventions.

Adolescents and violent crime.

Violent crime is a key social and public issue that significantly contributes to the morbidity and mortality of adolescents and places a significant economic burden on society. Overall, juveniles (legally described as adolescents under 18) are responsible for only 19% of all violent crime committed in the United States. However, the peak age incidence for violent offenders is 18, well within the spectrum of the adolescent age grouping. Over the past 10 years, arrests for juvenile crime have increased by 67%, leading some experts to worry that, given the expected increase in the size of the juvenile population by the year 2010, the number of arrests for juvenile crime will double. Fortunately, there has been a decline in the rates of juvenile violent crime over the past 2 years. This article reviews statistical trends, contributing factors and innovative approaches to prevention and intervention.