HIV/STI prevention among heterosexually active Black adolescents with mental illnesses: Focus group findings for intervention development

Details

• Journal Article:
  J Assoc Nurses AIDS Care
• Personal Author:
  Brawner, Bridgette M. ; Jemmott, Loretta Sweet ; Wingood, Gina ; Reason, Janaiya ; Mack, Niya
• Description:
  Heterosexually active Black adolescents with mental illnesses are at increased risk for sexually transmitted infections (STIs), including HIV. However, few HIV/STI prevention interventions exist for this demographic. We held seven focus groups (N = 33) to elucidate social, cultural, and psychological factors that influence HIV/STI risk-related sexual behaviors in this understudied population. Seven themes emerged: (a) Blackness and media portrayals, (b) Blackness as a source of cultural resilience and pride, (c) psychosocial determinants of condom use, (d) consequences of engaging in sexual activity, (e) attitudes and beliefs toward sexual behaviors, (f) benefits of sexual activity, and (g) coping mechanisms. Participants also supported the feasibility of and interest in HIV/STI prevention programs integrated with mental health treatment. Transportation, potential breaches of confidentiality, and time were noted barriers to participation. Psychoeducational, skills-based programs are needed to address the sequelae of mental illnesses as they relate to the sexual decision-making process in adolescents.
• Keywords:
  • adolescents
  • Blacks
  • HIV
  • mental health
  • qualitative research
  • sexual health
  • Adolescent
  • Adolescent Behavior
  • Black or African American
  • Black People
  More +
• Source:
  J Assoc Nurses AIDS Care. 29(1):30-44
• DOI:
  http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.jana.2017.09.008
• Pubmed ID:
  29037602
• Pubmed Central ID:
  PMC6913525
• Document Type:
  Text ; Journal Article
• Funding:
  U01 PS003304/PS/NCHHSTP CDC HHSUnited States/
• Genre:
  Journal Article
• Volume:
  29
• Issue:
  1
• Download URL:
  https://stacks.cdc.gov/view/cdc/83578/cdc_83578_DS1.pdf
• File Type:
  [PDF - 646.46 KB]
• Collection(s):
  CDC Public Access
• Main Document Checksum:
  urn:sha-512:f0f36bf08a8a58cf2b347afa8b1cc7e0ff6eab8392c595cfc8db57c44c106bd2a88942e63b8c2ca265adf6a98d1816dc4042882c8e878986ea833c5e657fc86d