HIV-risk behaviors in adolescent substance abusers

Thirty adolescents aged 12-18 years from each group (substance use disorders, psychiatric disorders, and controls) Mere assessed to explore HN-risk behaviors and knowledge about HN/AIDS. Semi-structured instalments for psychiatric and substance use disorders were also administered There were no significant differences between groups in knowledge of HN/AIDS. However, chi-square analysis of risk behaviors revealed significant differences between the substance use disorders group and the controls. The knowledge-behavior gap was greater for the substance users than all other groups, in that while they knew an equal amount about HN/AIDS, they actually engaged in more risky several behaviors than the other two groups. It may be that the impulsivity associated with substance use disorders accounts for this difference. It is recommended that HN/AIDS prevention education and impulse control strategies are included in the treatment of adolescents with substance use disorders. (C) 1999 Elsevier Science Inc. All rights reserved.