High-risk sexual behaviors among adolescents engaged through a street-based peer outreach program--(the Adolescent...

On-the-street peer based programs can overcome barriers and successfully engage teens in HIV counseling and testing. This initiative combines on-the-street peer outreach with on-the-street HIV testing in a mobile counseling and testing van. A survey was conducted to measure HIV risk behaviors concern about HIV infection. In year one, the program engaged 1550 youth. Of these, 666 completed HIV counseling and testing. Only 18% indicated that they had not had unprotected sexual intercourse in the preceding year. Thirty-nine percent of the males and 52% of the females had caused or been pregnant. Sixty-six percent of the males and 53% of the females believed that they could become HIV infected. Fifty-three percent of the male and 75% of the female respondents had had a previous HIV test. However concern about HIV did not significantly decrease the prevalence of HIV risk behaviors. Peer outreach and on-the-street counseling and testing is a successful method of increasing HIV testing among high risk youth. Youth are concerned about HIV infection but that concern does not translated into a change in risk behaviors.