Despite the recognized need for culturally tailored
HIV prevention interventions for gay, bisexual, and questioning
youth, few studies have examined if predictors of
unprotected sex vary for
youth from different ethnic groups. This study reports on a sample of 189 gay, bisexual, and questioning
youth (age 15-22) from three racial/ethnic backgrounds (African American, Hispanic, and White) recruited in Chicago, IL and Miami-Dade and Broward Counties, Florida. For African American
youth, being in a long-term relationship, having been kicked out of the home for having sex with men, and younger age at initiation of sexual behavior were associated with
unprotected sex. For Hispanic
youth, higher ethnic identification and older age at initiation of sexual behavior were associated with
unprotected sex. For White
youth, no predictors were associated with
unprotected sex. Our findings point to the importance of understanding the varying predictors of
unprotected sex and integrating them into tailored prevention interventions.
