Young men's risk behaviors for HIV infection and sexually transmitted diseases, 1988 through 1991

Objectives. This paper analyzes age- and period-related changes in risk behaviors for human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection and sexually transmitted diseases among young men in the United States between 1988 and 1991. Methods. Data were from the 1988 and 1991 waves of the National Survey of Adolescent Males. The 1988 survey was a nationally representative survey of 1880 males aged 15 through 19 years. The 1991 survey was a longitudinal follow-up of 1676 males aged 17 through 22 years. Results. As they aged, the young men increased their levels of sexual activity and decreased their condom use. Period-related changes between 1988 and 1991 were examined by comparing similar cohorts of 17.5-through 19-year-old men: there were signs that sexual activity and intravenous drug injection increased, but condom use did not change significantly. In 1991 51% of the young men said they were occasionally 'high' during sex, a state that is related to reduced condom use. Conclusions. Early progress in fostering safer behaviors among young men slowed and possibly stopped as the nation entered the 1990s. Prevention efforts need to be renewed and should focus on older youth and young adults.