Volume 24, Issue 5: October, 1997

Abstract

AIDS RISK BEHAVIORS, KNOWLEDGE, AND ATTITUDES AMONG PREGNANT ADOLESCENTS AND YOUNG MOTHERS

Deborah Koniak-Griffin, EdD, RN, FAAN
Mary-Lynn Brecht, PhD

Address reprint requests to Deborah Koniak-Griffin, EdD, RN, FAAN, UCLA School of Nursing, 700 W. Tiverton Avenue, Box 956919, Los Angeles, CA 90095-6919; phone: (310) 206-3842; fax: (310) 206-3241; e-mail: dkoniak@ucla.edu.

This study assessed AIDS risk behaviors, knowledge, and related attitudes of pregnant adolescents and young mothers (n = 151). Results revealed that a substantial portion of the sample engaged in sexual behaviors (e.g., unprotected sex and multiple sex partners) that increased their risk for acquiring HIV and possibly transmitting the disease to their children. Knowledge about major modes of HIV transmission was high; however, commonly held misconceptions were expressed concerning the spread of disease and methods of prevention. Results suggest that neither the experience of having an unplanned pregnancy nor knowing about HIV transmission was a sufficient motivator to reduce risk behaviors in this sample.