Colleen DiIorio ^1*, Frances McCarty ¹, Ken Resnicow ², Sally Lehr ¹, Pamela Denzmore ¹

¹ Emory University
² University of Michigan

^* To whom correspondence should be addressed. E-mail: cdiiori{at}sph.emory.edu.

	Abstract

Objectives. We tested the efficacy of an intervention among 11- to 14-year-old adolescent boys to promote delay of sexual intercourse, condom use among those who were sexually active, and communication on sexuality between fathers (or father figures) and sons.

Methods. Sites were randomly assigned to the intervention and control groups. Assessments were conducted prior to the intervention and at 3-, 6-, and 12-month follow-up interviews.

Results. A total of 277 fathers and their sons completed baseline assessments. Most participants were African American, and most fathers lived with their sons. Significantly higher rates of sexual abstinence and condom use and of intent to delay initiation of sexual intercourse were observed among adolescent boys whose fathers participated in the intervention. Fathers in the intervention group reported significantly more discussions about sexuality and greater intentions to discuss sexuality than did control-group fathers.

Conclusions. The study demonstrates that fathers can serve as an important educator on HIV and sexuality for their sons.

Key Words: Adolescent Health, HIV/AIDS, Prevention, African Americans/Blacks, Sexual Health

This article has been cited by other articles:

				D. Kirby Increasing communication between parents and their children about sex BMJ, July 10, 2008; 337(jul10_2): a206 - a206. [Full Text]