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Reductions in HIV risk among runaway youth
Mary Jane Rotheram-Borus1, Juwon Song, Marya Gwadz
1Department of Psychiatry, University of California, Los Angeles, California 90024, USA. rotheram@ucla.edu
Summary
Street Smart, an HIV prevention program, significantly reduced risky behaviors in adolescent females, including unprotected sex and substance use. The program also decreased marijuana use in adolescent males, highlighting its effectiveness for runaway youth.
Area of Science:
- Public Health
- Adolescent Health
- Behavioral Science
Background:
- Runaway youth face a disproportionately high risk of HIV infection, estimated at 6-12 times greater than their peers.
- Effective HIV prevention strategies are crucial for this vulnerable population.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the 2-year efficacy of the Street Smart HIV prevention program for runaway youth.
- To assess the program's impact on sexual risk behaviors and substance use.
Main Methods:
- A quasi-experimental design was employed, comparing youth in intervention shelters (Street Smart program) with those in control shelters.
- Propensity scores were used to create comparable subgroups for analysis (n=101 intervention, n=86 control).
- The Street Smart program included healthcare access, condoms, and a 10-session social learning theory-based curriculum.
Main Results:
- Females in the intervention group showed significant reductions in unprotected sexual acts (2 years), alcohol use, marijuana use, and overall drug use (12 months) compared to controls.
- Males in the intervention group demonstrated significant reductions in marijuana use (6 months) compared to controls.
- The study highlights the need for long-term behavior change maintenance strategies in adolescent HIV prevention.
Conclusions:
- The Street Smart program demonstrates efficacy in reducing HIV risk behaviors and substance use among runaway youth, particularly females.
- Sustaining behavior change in adolescents requires proactive strategies and innovative research designs.
- Targeted interventions are essential for mitigating HIV risks in vulnerable youth populations.