HIV risk behaviors: a comparison of U.S. Hispanic and Dominican Republic youth.

Sexual behaviors of adolescents place them at a high risk for HIV infection and other sexually transmitted diseases. International comparisons of sexual risk-taking among youth employing a common set of survey items are rare. Moreover, such studies can assist in explaining observed differences in disease rates, or predicting future trends in transmission, and identifying health educational needs unique to a particular population or setting. To assess variations in risk-taking patterns, a comparison of HIV behavioral risk factors was made between U.S. Hispanic and Dominican Republic (D.R.) youth. The Spanish version of the Youth Risk Behavior Surveillance (YRBS) survey was administered to 1,175 D.R. high school students. Responses were compared to those in the U.S. from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's 1990 YRBS data tape for 2285 Hispanic youth. Frequency and cross-tabulation data were compared by country and gender. There were significant differences in AIDS education at school, discussions about AIDS conducted in the home, age of first sexual experience, condom use, and past experience with STDs. Results show that adolescents in both countries are at risk, but with different mediating factors. Inadequate condom use and early initiation of sex place the D.R. youth at risk, while more U.S. youth are engaging in sexual intercourse and using alcohol or other drugs in conjunction with sexual episodes. Some implications for prevention education are discussed.

PIP: A comparison of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) risk factors between US Hispanic and Dominican Republic youth indicated sexual intercourse under the influence of drugs and alcohol places the former group at risk, while early initiation of sex and inadequate condom use are the main risk factors in the latter group. The data on 2285 US Hispanic adolescents (mean age, 15.6 years) were derived from the 1990 Youth Risk Behavior Surveillance survey. A Southeastern-Puerto Rican version of this survey was administered to 1175 Dominican Republic youth (mean age, 16.8 years). 78.5% of US Hispanic youth and 59.9% of Dominican youth had been taught about acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) in school, and 51.5% and 70.9%, respectively, had discussed AIDS at home. 54.1% of US teens (66.0% of males and 43.6% of females) and 31.0% of Dominican respondents (61.2% of males and 10.0% of females) were sexually active. 15% of US Hispanics had engaged in sex before 13 years of age, while 30.4% of Dominicans were sexually active by 12 years of age. Four or more life-time sexual partners were reported by 31.1% of US and 37.6% of Dominican youth. US Hispanics were more likely than Dominicans to have used drugs or alcohol prior to the most recent sexual intercourse (24.8% vs. 10.8%, respectively). The frequencies of condom use during the most recent intercourse were 38% and 34%, respectively. Continued unprotected sexual activity in this age group can have profound effects on the growth curve of HIV, suggesting a need for earlier and better sex education programs.

Establishing health status indicators by surveying youth risk behaviors of high school students in the dominican republic.

The purpose of this survey was to determine the health-risk behaviors among high school students in the Dominican Republic. Samples were taken from communities with an industrial base and an increasing population (n = 1175). The communities under study had dissimilar population sizes (i.e., 5,000, 30,000, 50,000) and were located in various geographical locations. Frequency data are compared by gender and population differences for high-risk health behavior indicators associated with urban migration. We found significant differences in tobacco, alcohol, and crack use among the different population sites, with higher rates reported by the more populous communities. Boys reported more fighting and sexual activity. Girls reported higher rates of suicide ideation and attempts. These results can be used to 1) help focus on those behaviors rooted during the school years that most influence health, 2) monitor those behaviors by establishing baseline data, and 3) supply data that are comparable with recognized categories of high-risk behaviors.

Assessing the self-reported health risks of urban street children working in the dominican republic.

Children throughout the world work on street corners selling newspapers, washing car windows, shining shoes, or hustling anything that will earn cash for the day. Many of them start early in the morning, work all day without attending school, and then return home late in the evening. A 26-item questionnaire was given to a sample of forty children working the streets of Santo Domingo. Examination of the responses revealed that the mean age was 14.5 years. Over 92 percent of the children had contact with a relative in the past thirty days. Fifty percent responded that they were victims of physical abuse at home, while 97 percent said they believe they are healthy. Qualitative data on family, friends, and future goals are discussed.