Presentation Abstract

A Needs Assessment of Young People Regarding HIV and Other Health Issues. AT Allgood, R Henderson, J Colgrove, J Shalwitz. Health Initiatives for Youth, San Francisco, CA.

Issue: Adolescents and young adults ages 12-24 are at high risk of HIV infection and other morbidities. HIV prevention and care services for this population are frequently designed without the input of young people themselves, and are therefore culturally or thematically inappropriate.

Project: A needs assessment of young people was conducted in five San Francisco Bay Area counties. Eight focus groups and 15 individual interviews were conducted at a variety of venues, including high school health clinics, drop-in recreation centers, and homeless youth shelters. Respondents were asked about HIV and other problems, their use of health and social services, and how they would design youth-sensitive services. The youth also completed a self-administered written questionnaire about health risk factors, including sexual activity and drug use.

Results: Youth recognize HIV as one of several interrelated problems facing them, including drug and alcohol use, violence, homophobia, pregnancy, and sexually transmitted diseases. Youth expressed a desire for safe, structured activities outside of school. They want services for them to be respectful and non-judgmental, and to reflect their social and behavioral norms.

Lessons Learned: Bay Area youth are highly cognizant of their risk for HIV and other morbidities. In order to assure that health and social programs for young people are responsive to their beliefs and concerns, providers should include youth in the design, implementation and evaluation of such programs.

Contact: Ron Henderson, 1242 Market St., third floor, San Francisco CA 94102 USA. Telephone: 415.487.5777, Fax: 415.487.5771, e-mail: hn5409@handsnet.org.

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