HIV Risk-Related Attitudes, Interpersonal Influences, and Intentions Among At-Risk Urban, Early Adolescent Girls.

Objective: To examine correlates of sexual experimentation and risk among urban, early adolescent girls (N = 236, 12.38 ± 1.2 years). Methods: Measures of HIV risk-related attitudes, interpersonal influences, and intentions were compared based on girls' degree of sexual experimentation and risk. Results: Girls in high sexual experimentation and risk groups scored highest on deviant peer norms; endorsements of risky behaviors; and inability to refuse unprotected sex, offset negative partner influences, avoid intercourse, and assert sexual desires. Greater experimentation occurred among girls with older versus same-age or younger partners. Conclusions: Risk correlates should be considered in designing HIV prevention programs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]