Exploring sexual risk taking among American Indian adolescents through protection motivation theory

ABSTRACT

This paper examines decision-making around sexual behavior among reservation-based American Indian youth. Focus group discussions were conducted with youth ages 13–19 years old. Through these discussions, we explored youth’s knowledge, attitudes and behaviors related to sexual risk taking through the lens of the protection motivation theory to inform the adaptation of an evidence-based HIV prevention intervention. Findings suggest that condom use self-efficacy and HIV prevention knowledge is low, vulnerability to sexually transmitted infections is lacking and alcohol plays a significant role in sexual risk taking in this population. In addition, parental monitoring and peer influence may contribute to or protect against sexual risk taking. Results suggest that future HIV prevention interventions should be delivered to gender-specific peer groups, include a parental component, teach sexual health education and communication skills, integrate substance-use prevention, and work to remove stigma around obtaining and using condoms.

KEYWORDS:

• HIV/AIDS prevention
• risk behaviors
• adolescents/youth
• focus groups
• American Indian

Acknowledgements

We respectfully acknowledge the American Indian youths, families, community members, and tribal leaders for their innovation and leadership in pioneering research strategies.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.

Additional information

Funding

This work was supported by the Native American Research Centers for Health initiative through the National Institute of General Medical Science grant [#U26IHS300286/02].