Highlights the need to reinvigorate HIV prevention programs among youth, describing an emerging challenge for health practitioners--the belief that safer sex is no longer as important because of advances in treatment for HIV. Suggestions are offered to strengthen programs for youth in the third decade of AIDS (e.g., improve training of HIV…

Conducted unstructured interviews with 18 male street prostitutes between the ages of 13 and 22 to determine the extent of accurate knowledge they possessed concerning four common sexually transmitted diseases. Found that subjects possessed more factual information on gonorrhea and syphilis than on herpes and Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome.…

Investigated the extent to which HIV seropositive men who have sex with men (MSM) believe that HIV is now, or will soon be, curable. Survey results indicate that belief in a cure for HIV is present among many seropositive MSM, and this belief relates to both recent risk behavior and intention to engage in risky behaviors. (SM)

Adolescents currently account for less than 1 percent of reported AIDS cases. Yet, because of their experimentation with both sex and drugs, teens face an increasingly high risk of contracting and transmitting the virus that causes AIDS (Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome). A total of 35 innercity black adolescents, ages 14 through 17, were…

Focuses on the social consequences of the AIDS epidemic, arguing that sociologists have an important contribution to make in planning for the long-range social consequences of AIDS. Concludes with three different commentaries on Berk's article. (Author/BSR)

The forced choice involved in diverting funds from one set of sexually transmitted diseases (STD) to another is a significant health policy issue. The tradeoff in decisions about allocations between acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS) and traditional STD programs are grim. Funding should be appropriated for vigorous efforts on both fronts.…

Adolescent male prostitutes have variable backgrounds; blend of different psychological, behavioral, social, and economic factors. Study of these factors forms basis for understanding potential risks they may be exposed to, including sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) and infection with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). Reported high incidence…

Relationships among knowledge about AIDS, sex guilt, components of the Health Belief Model, and self-reported safer sex practices were examined in first-year college students. Found that knowledge about AIDS was not related to self-reported safer sex practices, but self-reported safer sex practices were positively related to sex guilt. (HTH)

Explores the development and maintenance of topics on the public agenda. Tests whether, for a new issue to compete for attention, an old issue must be displaced. Finds little support for that assumption. Argues that the maintenance of topics is complex and the displacement effect is not as powerful as once assumed. (SR)

Assessed trends in HIV risk behaviors among New York City injection drug users from 1990-97. Interviews at a drug detoxification program and a research storefront in a high drug-use area showed continuing risk reduction among users that indicated a declining phase in the large HIV epidemic in New York City. HIV prevention programs appeared to be…

This commentary on a paper (EC 619 276) about the transmissiblity of sexually transmitted diseases in sexually abused children discusses two issues: (1) determining if a child is infected with a sexually transmitted disease (STD) agent; and (2) determining if the child's STD was acquired from the mother before or during the birth process through…

To date, education is the only method that has worked to prevent the spread of Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS). Effective AIDS prevention must do two things simultaneously: emphasize that AIDS is a worldwide issue, that males and females of all ages, colors, and nationalities are susceptible to the virus; and emphasize that AIDS is a…

Reviews relevant research to identify strengths and weaknesses of parent-adolescent communication patterns relating to adolescent sexual behaviors. Studies show the positive effects of parent-adolescent communication patterns and adolescent sexuality, though man parents fail to address the most critical sexual risks faced by adolescents (sexually…

Analysis of the contraceptive behavior of 123 young adults indicates that (1) interventions to change high-risk behaviors need to address differing perceptions of pregnancy and disease prevention and (2) interventions will be more effective if positive aspects of using contraceptives are made more salient. (SK)

Investigated whether HIV-prevention program planners sought out science in designing interventions and, if not, where they gathered prevention information. Surveys of program mangers nationwide indicated that three important sources of information were peers and colleagues, departments of public health, and the Centers for Disease Control and…