The Prevention of HIV among Adolescents: A Leisure Education Intervention

Abstract

This article examines using leisure education as an innovative method to HIV prevention among adolescents. Included is a description of leisure education and how leisure education is similar to health education. The method revolves around the teaching of alternate activities for adolescents to engage in during non-school hours. Currently, alternate behaviors are included during some prevention programs, but only very briefly. Instead, this method addresses all the reasons that go into a successful substitution, such as choice, self-esteem, decision making, and other life skills learned in adolescence. These skills will assist the adolescent to substitute new leisure activities which can lead to less free and unsupervised time. This free and unsupervised time is when adolescents are most likely to engage in risky sexual behaviors, many of which can lead to HIV infection. Additionally, the increase in self-esteem that is often found during leisure activity participation can have a positive effect on sexual decision making.