BEHAVIORAL RISKS FOR HIV IN ADOLESCENTS

A psychosocial perspective on adolescent risk behavior is used to highlight aspects of psychological development and social environment that are relevant to sexual activity and substance use. Differences in behavior are also related to factors such as age and gender that have biological, developmental, and demographic implications. Sexual activity and substance use increase during adolescence, and are often interrelated. In the USA in 1992, 69% of 8th graders and 88% of 12th graders had drunk alcohol. In 1990, 54% of high school students had had sexual intercourse. Age of sexual initiation has decreased in recent cohorts, but condom use by adolescents has increased, with 35% of 15-19-year-old women reporting using condoms. Interventions that successfully change adolescent risk behavior take account of the teen's level of development and social context.