HIV Prevention Behaviors among LGBTQ+ Adolescents: the Protective Role of LGBTQ+-Inclusive School Resources.

Abstract

The objective of the present paper is to apply an intersectional lens to HIV prevention behavior disparities among LGBTQ+ adolescents across multiple social positions (racial, ethnic, gender, and sexual identities) and access to LGBTQ+-inclusive school resources (sex education and gender-sexuality alliances). Data are from the 2022 LGBTQ National Teen Survey (N = 10,871). Descriptive analyses and chi-square tests were conducted for social position, LGBTQ+-inclusive school resources, and HIV prevention variables. Social positions and two LGBTQ+-inclusive school resources were then entered into exhaustive chi-square automatic interaction detection models of HIV prevention behaviors (heard of/taken pre-exposure prophylaxis, HIV-testing, and consistent condom use). Groups with the highest and lowest prevalence of HIV prevention behaviors are described. LGBTQ+-inclusive school resources, especially sex education, were promotive of HIV prevention behaviors and mitigated some disparities across social positions. However, some disparities by social positions persisted. Gay or queer cisgender boys were consistently in the highest prevalence HIV prevention behavior groups, whereas youth who self-reported they were bisexual/pansexual, asexual, sexual identity questioning, straight or a sexual identity not listed, especially those who lacked LGBTQ+-inclusive school resources, were overrepresented in the low prevalence groups. LGBTQ+-inclusive school resources are important sources of HIV prevention information and may mitigate some HIV-related disparities.