HIV‐Related Knowledge, Beliefs, and Behaviors Among High School Students in the United States: Results from a National Survey

摘要

ABSTRACT:The Secondary School Student Health Risk Survey measured the prevalence of sexual intercourse and illegal drug injection among a national probability sample of U.S. high school students and assessed their HIV‐related knowledge and beliefs. Ninety‐nine (81) of the 122 selected schools and 8,098 (83) of the eligible students participated. Nearly all high school students knew the major modes of HIV transmission. Three percent reported injecting illegal drugs, and 1 reported sharing needles used to inject drugs. In addition, 59 of students reported having sexual intercourse and, of students who reported having sexual intercourse, 40 reported having four or more sexual partners. HIV‐related knowledge, beliefs, and behaviors among high school students suggest the need for school‐based HIV education programs that help young people acquire the knowledge and skills to adopt and maintain behaviors that reduce risk of HIV infection and other related health p