The Next Generation of HIV Prevention for Adolescent Females in the United States: Linking Behavioral and Epidemiologic Sciences to Reduce Incidence of HIV

Current advances in epidemiologic sciences suggest that the next generation of interventions should focus on parenting and parenting skills, sexual risk networks in which drug use and other high-risk behaviors are prevalent, and neighborhoods where these networks exist.

Abstract

Given the increasing numbers of new HIV infections among adolescent females and limitations of the current generation of HIV interventions, a new generation of interventions is needed to prevent HIV and other infections in this population. Interventions available today are limited by their focus on single behaviors that have little epidemiologic significance, such as condom use, and their failure to be tested among the highest risk females. Recent advances in epidemiologic sciences suggest that the next generation of interventions should focus on parenting and parenting skills, sexual risk networks in which drug use and other high-risk behaviors are prevalent, and neighborhoods where these networks exist. Future research should include formative and observational studies to inform new intervention trials that reach the highest risk female youth.