Using mixed-method assessment to advance adolescent HIV prevention.

Area of Science:

• Public Health
• Adolescent Health
• HIV Prevention

Background:

• HIV remains a significant public health concern among adolescents and young adults.
• Effective risk assessment and intervention strategies are crucial for this demographic.
• Current methods may not adequately capture the nuances of adolescent sexual risk-taking behaviors.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the impact of a calendar-based assessment on HIV risk perception and risk reduction planning in diverse youth.
• To explore how a visual assessment tool can facilitate tailored interventions.
• To determine the utility of the Sexual Health History Calendar (SHHC) in clinical settings.

Main Methods:

• A two-phase, community-based pilot study involving racially diverse youth aged 14-21.
• Participants completed the Sexual Health History Calendar (SHHC) assessing past behaviors and future intentions.
• Qualitative analysis of youths' narratives regarding risk, incidents, and desired changes.

Main Results:

• The SHHC prompted self-appraisals, identification of risk incidents, and expressed needs for behavior change.
• A significant proportion of youth reported negative self-appraisals (36%) and a need for change (18%).
• All Phase 2 participants identified specific risky behaviors for intended change, indicating intervention readiness.

Conclusions:

• The SHHC is a valuable tool for enhancing HIV risk perception and facilitating risk reduction planning among youth.
• Visual cues and narrative data from the SHHC enable personalized, circumstance-specific interventions.
• The SHHC bridges the gap between assessment and intervention for healthcare providers in clinical settings.