Biomedical subjects

Gail Agronick

Publications and source records attributed to Gail Agronick.

4 recordsLinked to original sources

PubMed2005

Saving Sex for Later: an evaluation of a parent education intervention.

CONTEXT: Initiation of sexual intercourse prior to high school is prevalent among inner-city black and Hispanic youths, and has multiple negative health and social consequences. A promising strategy for addressing early adolescent sexual activity is parent education that addresses normal pubertal changes and the challenges of becoming a teenager. METHODS: A 2003-2005 randomized trial to test the effectiveness of Saving Sex for Later, a parent education program presented on three audio CDs, enrolled 846 families with fifth- and sixth-grade students in seven New York City schools. Parent and youth surveys were conducted at baseline and three months postintervention. Multivariate logistic and linear regression analyses were performed to assess relationships between youth and parent outcomes and treatment condition. RESULTS: At follow-up, parents in the intervention group were significantly more likely than controls to score high on indexes of communication with children about targeted risk behaviors, self-efficacy to discuss pubertal development and sexuality, and perceived influence over youths' behaviors (odds ratios, 1.9-2.5). Youths in the intervention condition were more likely than controls to report high family support, and reported more family rules and fewer behavioral risks. Family support and rules partially mediate the relationship between treatment condition and behavioral risks. CONCLUSION: Saving Sex for Later is a promising intervention for promoting youths' sexual abstinence. The intervention may also be effective in enhancing positive parenting practices among parents who are typically difficult to reach because of economic hardship, full schedules and complicated lives.

Adolescent↗

PubMed2004

Sexual behaviors and risks among bisexually- and gay-identified young Latino men.

This research compares patterns of sexual behavior and sexual risk of bisexually- and gay-identified Latino young men who have sex with men (YMSM). Four hundred forty-one Latino YMSM were surveyed at community venues in New York City. Twenty-two percent of the sample identified as bisexual, and 78% identified as gay. Bisexually-identified men were more likely to report having had multiple male sex partners in the last 3 months and less likely to report being exclusively involved with a main male partner. They were also approximately 3 1/2 times more likely to report unprotected insertive anal intercourse at last sexual contact with a nonmain male partner and more likely to report being high at last contact with both main and nonmain male partners. Findings suggest that prevention programs need to address the particular sexual risk patterns of bisexually-identified Latino YMSM that place them at risk of both HIV infection and transmission.

Adolescent↗

PubMed2004

Using peer recruitment and OraSure to increase HIV testing.

We describe a community-based pilot study to boost HIV testing in a minority community through social network recruitment and a noninvasive HIV testing methodology. Over an 11-month period, the number of test takers at the intervention site increased by 71.7%, and the proportions of test takers with risk factors similar to those of peer recruiters (heterosexual sex and multiple partners) increased by 24.2% and 19.5%, respectively. At a comparison site, testing remained stable, while the proportion of test takers reporting heterosexual sex and multiple partners decreased by 42.5% and 21.8%, respectively. The use of a social network recruitment strategy in combination with an oral HIV test shows promise in increasing testing and in targeting populations.

Attitude to Health↗

PubMed2002

Ethnic and gay community attachments and sexual risk behaviors among urban Latino young men who have sex with men.

Culturally relevant prevention programs are required to reduce HIV risk exposure of Latino young men who have sex with men (YMSM). As part of Hermanos Jóvenes, 465 Latino YMSM were surveyed at community venues of New York City outside the gay-identified area of lower Manhattan. We examined factors that influence ethnic and gay community attachments; the association between community attachments and social support in sexual matters; and the relationship between levels of attachment, social support in sexual matters, and sexual risk behaviors. Sixty-eight percent felt closely connected to their ethnic community; about 34% were highly attached to both neighborhood and New York City gay communities. Greater social support in sexual matters was associated with ethnic and gay community attachments. Latino YMSM connected to their ethnic community were about 40% less likely to report recent unprotected anal intercourse (UAI) with a male partner, and 60% less likely to have engaged in UAI during the last sexual contact with a nonmain male partner. Gay community attachment was not significantly related to risk behaviors. Findings point to the importance of ethnic ties and involving ethnic community organizations in HIV prevention efforts.

Acculturation↗