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Background: Few studies have explored the health and development of AIDS orphans using the positive youth development (PYD) framework. Grounded in this framework, the main objective of this study is to examine how internal assets (i.e., resilience) and external assets (i.e., school connectedness, peer support) affect subjective well-being among Yi AIDS orphans in the Liangshan Yi Autonomous Prefecture, Sichuan province, China. Methods: A cross-sectional survey was conducted by interviewing 571 AIDS orphans and 979 non-orphans of Yi ethnic minority from 5th-10th grades. Structural equation models (SEM) were utilized to identify and estimate the direct and indirect effects of internal and external assets on subjective well-being. Results: The average score of subjective well-being was significantly lower for AIDS orphans than for in non-orphans (P < 0.05). Resilience, school connectedness, peer support (number of friends, caring friends), and self-rated physical health had significant and positive direct effects on subjective well-being. In addition, the effects of school connectedness, and peer support on subjective well-being were mediated by resilience. Conclusions: Positive individual and school-related contextual assets can bolster subjective well-being among AIDS orphans. The design of health intervention programs for AIDS orphans should incorporate these positive development assets. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Background: To compare the prevalence of syringe-sharing behaviors and other HIV-related characteristics among female injecting drug users (IDU) engaging and not engaging in sex work and to identify factors associated with such risk behaviors in the two groups. Methods: Data were obtained from 1923 female respondents of behavioral surveillance studies conducted in Sichuan, China. Results: The prevalence of having at least one of the three syringe-sharing behaviors (borrowing, lending, or injecting from pre-filled syringes) was 45.3% in the female sex workers (FSW) group and 37.2% in the non-FSW group (adjusted OR=1.28, p <0.05). Compared with non-FSW, FSW were more likely to have injected drugs for 3 or more years, have non-regular sex partners, believe that condom use could prevent HIV, and have received free condoms/lubricants (OR=1.34–5.08, p <0.05); FSW were less likely to be older, better educated, and have attempted quitting drugs (OR=0.31–0.68, p <0.05). Being FSW, older, longer injecting drug use, higher drug injection frequency, and having regular sex partner were associated with injecting with others’ used syringes (multivariate OR=1.26–1.92, p <0.05) while the reverse was true for education level and voluntary HIV antibody testing (multivariate OR=0.44–0.64, p <0.05). Of all sampled FSW, 39.3% did not use a condom in the last episode of sex work. Conclusions: Female IDU involving in sex work are at high risk of HIV transmission and the risk may even be higher than their non-FSW counterparts. The bridging effect poses a threat to the HIV epidemic in China and effective preventive services are warranted. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]