Ending the Epidemic

Assessing Sexual Health Communication, Personal Agency, and HIV Stigma among Black and Latino Youth in the U.S

Bibliographic Data

ID15475677
AuthorsLance C Keene (0000-0002-0597-9276, New York University, corresponding author), Lance Keene (New York University), D T Boyd (0000-0001-9952-3116, The Ohio State University)
Year2021
Volume18
Issue12
Pages6319-6319
Publication date2021-06-11
Peer ReviewedYes
Open AccessYes
TypeARTICLE
VenueInternational Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 1661-7827 • E-ISSN: 1660-4601
PublisherMultidisciplinary Digital Publishing Institute (PUBLISHER • CH)
DOI10.3390/ijerph18126319
PMID34207968
OpenAlexW3171035018
LanguageEN
Citations received4
References cited53

Sexual health communication warrants greater attention as it may help to reduce the rates of HIV incidence among youth. A growing body of literature suggests that conversations about sexual health among Black and Latino youth may serve as a potential strategy for HIV prevention. The current study investigates whether sexual health communication-in particular, conversations about sexual health and HIV-influences Black and Latino youth's personal agency regarding their role in achieving an HIV-free generation. For this secondary data analysis, we used the National Survey of Teens and Young Adults on attitudes towards HIV/AIDS ( n = 701). Participants included youth between the ages 15 and 24, and the average was 20 years. We used a multiple regression analysis to examine whether sexual health communication contributed to youth knowledge and awareness of (1) the national plan for EHE, and (2) their role in ending the epidemic". (1) knowledge and awareness of the national plan for EHE, and (2) role in ending the epidemic. The final multiple regression model was statistically significant [R 2 = 0.16 F (12, 701) = 001, p < 0.001] for both outcomes. Study results found that sexual health communication was positively related to Black and Latino youth's awareness of efforts to end the HIV epidemic (EHE) and their belief that they could play a role in achieving EHE. In addition, HIV stigma influenced personal agency and whether youth were aware of efforts to achieve EHE. Our results demonstrated that openly communicating about sexual health and HIV may contribute to a sense of personal agency among Black and Latino youth. In addition, understanding whether sexual health communication contributes to a sense of personal agency among youth may inform HIV prevention efforts to achieve the goals set forth by the national EHE plan for the U.S

Agency (philosophy · Developmental psychology · Environmental health · Family medicine · Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV · Population · Psychiatry · Reproductive health · Sociology · Stigma (botany · Adolescent Sexual and Reproductive Health · Clinical Psychology · Demography · HIV/AIDS Research and Interventions · Medicine · Psychology · Sex work and related issues

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