Ralph DiClemente
Ralph DiClemente
Scroll
Professor of Social and Behavioral Sciences
-
Professional overview
-
Dr. Ralph DiClemente was trained as a Health Psychologist at the University of California, San Francisco where he received his PhD in 1984 after completing a ScM at the Harvard School of Public Health. He earned his undergraduate degree at the City University of New York.
Dr. DiClemente’s research has four key foci:
- Developing interventions to reduce the risk of HIV/STD among vulnerable populations
- Developing interventions to enhance vaccine uptake among high-risk adolescents and women, such as HPV and influenza vaccine
- Developing implementation science interventions to enhance the uptake, adoption and sustainability of HIV/STD prevention programs in the community
- Developing diabetes screening and behavior change interventions to identify people with diabetes who are unaware of their disease status as well as reduce the risk of diabetes among vulnerable populations.
He has focused on developing intervention packages that blend community and technology-based approaches that are designed to optimize program effectiveness and enhance programmatic sustainability.
Dr. DiClemente is the author of ten CDC-defined, evidence-based interventions for adolescents and young African-American women and men. He is the author of more than 540 peer-review publications, 150 book chapters, and 21 books. He serves as a member of the Office of AIDS Research Advisory Council.
Previously, Dr. DiClemente served as the Charles Howard Candler Professor of Public Health at the Rollins School of Public Health at Emory University. He was also Associate Director of the Center for AIDS Research, and was previously Chair of the Department of Behavioral Sciences and Health Education at the Rollins School of Public Health.
Dr. DiClemente is Past President of the Georgia chapter of the Society for Adolescent Health & Medicine. He previously served as a member of the CDC Board of Scientific Counselors, and the NIMH Advisory Council.
-
Education
-
BA, The City College of the City University of New York (CCNY), New York, NYScM, Behavioral Sciences, Harvard University, Cambridge, MAPhD, Health Psychology, University of California San Francisco Center for Behavioral Sciences, San Francisco, CAPostdoctoral Fellow, University of California, San Francisco, CA
-
Areas of research and study
-
Community InterventionsDiabetesHIV/AIDSImplementation scienceInfluenzaPsychology
-
Publications
Publications
Rate of decay in proportion of condom-protected sex acts among adolescents after participation in an HIV risk-reduction intervention
AbstractDiClemente, R., Brown, J. L., Sales, J. M., & Rose, E. S. (n.d.).Publication year
2013Journal title
Journal of Acquired Immune Deficiency SyndromesVolume
63Issue
SUPPL. 1Page(s)
S85-S89AbstractObjective: HIV risk-reduction interventions have demonstrated efficacy in enhancing the proportion of condom-protected sex (CPS) acts among diverse populations. Although postintervention exposure increase in CPS are often observed, there is scant empirical data quantifying decay of intervention efficacy (declines in CPS after cessation of the intervention among participants reporting an initial postintervention increase in CPS). Thus, the objective of this study was to quantify the rate of decay in intervention efficacy over a 24-month follow-up. Design: African American adolescent females (ages: 14-20; n = 349) completed a baseline audio computer-assisted self-administered interview, participated in an HIV risk-reduction intervention, and were assessed at 6-month intervals for 24 months postintervention. Intervention efficacy was conceptualized as an increase in participants' CPS relative to baseline. Methods: Analyses focused on the subset of participants who reported an initial increase in CPS from baseline to the 6-month postintervention assessment (n = 121) to quantify the rate of decay in intervention efficacy over a 24-month follow-up period. Results: CPS increased markedly from baseline to 6-month followup assessment. However, from 6 to 12 months, a marked decline in CPS was observed. Further CPS declines, though not statistically significant, were observed from 12 to 18 months and 18 to 24 months. Cumulative reductions in CPS over the entire 24-month follow-up resulted in no statistical difference between baseline and 24-month follow-up; indicative of a nonsignificant intervention effect at 24-month assessment. Conclusions: Innovative postintervention optimization strategies are needed to minimize CPS decay over protracted time periods by reinforcing, sustaining, and potentially amplifying initial gains in condom use.Reach and Capacity of Black Protestant Health Ministries as Sites of Community-Wide Health Promotion : A Qualitative Social Ecological Model Examination
AbstractFuller, T. J., Lambert, D. N., DiClemente, R., & Wingood, G. M. (n.d.).Publication year
2025Journal title
Journal of Racial and Ethnic Health DisparitiesVolume
12Issue
2Page(s)
887-898AbstractBlack communities in the Southeast United States experience a disproportionate burden of illness and disease. To address this inequity, public health practitioners are partnering with Black Protestant churches to deliver health promotion interventions. Yet, the reach of these programs beyond the organizational level of the Social Ecological Model (SEM) is not well defined. Thus, the aim of this study is to understand Black Protestant church leaders’ and members’ perceptions about the capacity of their ministries to reach into their communities, beyond their congregations, as providers or hosts of health education or promotion interventions. From 20 Black Protestant churches in Atlanta, GA, 92 church leaders and members participated in semi-structured interviews. Grounded theory guided data analysis and a diverse team coded the interviews. Most participating churches had health ministries. Participants saw the boundaries between their churches at the organizational level of the SEM and the broader Black community to be porous. Those who described their “community” as being broader than their congregation also tended to describe community-wide health promotion their church engaged in. They described church-based health fairs as a strategy to promote engagement in their communities. Some participants, particularly those in a health-related profession, discussed visions of how to utilize their church as a site for community-wide health promotion. We suggest these participants may be boundary leaders who can build relationships between public health professionals, pastors, and congregants. Based on the findings, we suggest that church-based health fairs may be effective sites of community-wide health promotion.Reach and Capacity of Black Protestant Health Ministries as Sites of Community-Wide Health Promotion : A Qualitative Social Ecological Model Examination
AbstractFuller, T. J., Lambert, D. N., DiClemente, R., & Wingood, G. M. (n.d.).Publication year
2024Journal title
Journal of Racial and Ethnic Health DisparitiesAbstractBlack communities in the Southeast United States experience a disproportionate burden of illness and disease. To address this inequity, public health practitioners are partnering with Black Protestant churches to deliver health promotion interventions. Yet, the reach of these programs beyond the organizational level of the Social Ecological Model (SEM) is not well defined. Thus, the aim of this study is to understand Black Protestant church leaders’ and members’ perceptions about the capacity of their ministries to reach into their communities, beyond their congregations, as providers or hosts of health education or promotion interventions. From 20 Black Protestant churches in Atlanta, GA, 92 church leaders and members participated in semi-structured interviews. Grounded theory guided data analysis and a diverse team coded the interviews. Most participating churches had health ministries. Participants saw the boundaries between their churches at the organizational level of the SEM and the broader Black community to be porous. Those who described their “community” as being broader than their congregation also tended to describe community-wide health promotion their church engaged in. They described church-based health fairs as a strategy to promote engagement in their communities. Some participants, particularly those in a health-related profession, discussed visions of how to utilize their church as a site for community-wide health promotion. We suggest these participants may be boundary leaders who can build relationships between public health professionals, pastors, and congregants. Based on the findings, we suggest that church-based health fairs may be effective sites of community-wide health promotion.Reach and capacity of Black protestant health ministries as sites of community-wide health promotion: A qualitative social ecological model examination
AbstractDiClemente, R., Fuller, T., Lambert, D., & Wingood, G. (n.d.).Publication year
2025Volume
J Racial Ethnic Health DisparitiesAbstract~Real-time PCR improves detection of Trichomonas vaginalis infection compared with culture using self-collected vaginal swabs
AbstractDiClemente, R., Caliendo, A. M., Jordan, J. A., Green, A. M., Ingersoll, J., Diclemente, R. J., & Wingood, G. M. (n.d.).Publication year
2005Journal title
Infectious Diseases in Obstetrics and GynecologyVolume
13Issue
3Page(s)
145-150AbstractObjective. To compare a real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assay with broth culture for the detection of Trichomonas vaginalis using self-collected vaginal swabs. Methods. Self-collected vaginal swabs were obtained from adolescent and young adult African-American women participating in HIV-1 prevention programs. T. vaginalis culture was performed using the InPouch TV System. Samples for the real-time PCR assay were collected using the BDProbeTec ET Culturette Direct Dry Swab system and tested in a laboratory-developed assay which targeted a repeated sequence of the genome. Discrepant samples that were culture negative and positive in the real-time PCR assay were tested in a confirmatory PCR which targeted a different region of the T. vaginalis genome, the 18S ribosomal DNA gene. Results. Of the 524 specimens tested by both culture and real-time PCR, 36 were culture positive and 54 were positive in the real-time PCR assay; 16 of the 18 discrepant specimens were also positive in the confirmatory PCR assay. Using a modified gold standard of positive by culture or positive in both PCR assays, the sensitivity of the real-time PCR assay was 100% and the specificity was 99.6%, whereas culture had a sensitivity of 69.2% and a specificity of 100%. Conclusions. The real-time PCR assay was sensitive and specific for the detection of T. vaginalis DNA from self-collected vaginal swab specimens. The ability to use the BDProbeTec dry swab system for the real-time PCR testing allowed for the detection of Chlamydia trachomatis, Neisseria gonorrhoeae, and T. vaginalis from a single specimen.Recommendations for Structure and Content for a School-Based Adolescent Immunization Curriculum
AbstractSalazar, K. R., Seib, K. G., Underwood, N. L., Gargano, L. M., Sales, J. M., Morfaw, C., Murray, D., DiClemente, R., & Hughes, J. M. (n.d.).Publication year
2016Journal title
Health promotion practiceVolume
17Issue
4Page(s)
512-520AbstractDespite high utilization of childhood vaccinations, adolescent immunization coverage rates lag behind recommended coverage levels. The four vaccines recommended for adolescents ages 11 to 18 years are tetanus, diphtheria, and pertussis vaccine; human papillomavirus vaccine; meningococcal conjugate vaccine; and an annual influenza vaccine. The Healthy People 2020 goal is 80% coverage for each recommended immunization, but coverage rates in Georgia among adolescents fall below those goals for all but the tetanus, diphtheria, and pertussis vaccine. We developed a multicomponent intervention that included a school-based, teacher-delivered educational curriculum to increase adolescent vaccination coverage rates in Richmond County, Georgia. We facilitated focus group discussions with middle- and high school science teachers who delivered the immunization curriculum in two consecutive school years. The objective of the focus group was to understand teachers’ perspectives about the curriculum impact and to synthesize recommendations for optimal dissemination of the curriculum content, structure, and packaging. Teachers provided recommendations for curriculum fit within existing classes, timing of delivery, and dosage of delivery and recommended creating a flexible tool kit, such as a downloadable online package. Teachers also recommended increasing emphasis on disease transmission and symptoms to keep students engaged. These findings can be applied to the development of an online, cost-effective tool kit geared toward teaching adolescents about the immune system and adolescent vaccinations.Reconceptualizing Women's HIV Risk
AbstractWingood, G. M., & DiClemente, R. (n.d.).Publication year
2000Journal title
Health Education & BehaviorVolume
27Issue
5Page(s)
570-571Abstract~Recruiting and Retaining High-Risk Adolescents into Family-Based HIV Prevention Intervention Research
AbstractKapungu, C. T., Nappi, C. M., Thakral, C., Miller, S. A., Devlin, C., McBride, C., Hasselquist, E., Coleman, G., Drozd, D., Barve, C., Donenberg, G., DiClemente, R., & Brown, L. (n.d.).Publication year
2012Journal title
Journal of Child and Family StudiesVolume
21Issue
4Page(s)
578-588AbstractThe purpose of this study was to examine the effectiveness of evidence-based recruitment and retention strategies for a longitudinal, family-based HIV prevention intervention study targeting adolescents in psychiatric care by (1) determining consent rate (recruitment), rate of participation at the first intervention session (retention), and follow-up attendance rate (retention); and (2) examining socio-demographic factors, family-level processes, sexual risk-related indices, and intervention factors (i.e., treatment arm) associated with study retention. Only one-third of the families contacted ultimately enrolled in the study. 81% of those enrolled participated in the workshop and 72% attended the booster sessions with no significant differences between families on any variable based on attendance. Retention over 1 year was 85% and did not differ by treatment arm. Strategies employed were successful at retaining families once they were enrolled. Findings highlight barriers to enrollment for adolescents in psychiatric care and suggest that it may be critical to integrate HIV prevention programs within community-based mental health services in order to counteract recruitment challenges.Reducing risk exposures to zero and not having multiple partners : Findings that inform evidence-based practices designed to prevent STD acquisition
AbstractDiClemente, R., Crosby, R. A., Wingood, G. M., Lang, D. L., Salazar, L. F., & Broadwell, S. D. (n.d.).Publication year
2005Journal title
International Journal of STD and AIDSVolume
16Issue
12Page(s)
816-818AbstractOur objective was to assess prospectively the relative contribution of reducing penile-vaginal risk exposure to zero and limiting the number of sex partners to one, on the acquisition of biologically confirmed sexually transmitted disease (STD) among African American women adolescents. Data from a prospective cohort of 522 African American women adolescents enrolled in an HIV prevention trial were used. Baseline STD testing and single-dose directly observable treatment provided an infection-free cohort, who were followed and assessed at six-month intervals. Self-administered vaginal swab specimens were tested for Chlamydia trachomatis, Neisseria gonorrhoeae, and Trichomonas vaginalis at baseline, six, 12, and 18 months. Frequency of having multiple sex partners and unprotected vaginal sex over each six-month assessment interval was measured. Adolescents who reported multiple sex partners, relative to only one partner, were more likely to test positive for an STD (adjusted odds ratio (AOR)=2.9; P=0.0001). Adolescents who reported unprotected vaginal sex relative to those reporting protected vaginal sex also had greater odds of testing positive for an STD (AOR=1.5; P=0.0001). Prospective findings suggest that having multiple sex partners and engaging in unprotected vaginal sex both remain significant risk factors for STD acquisition among African American adolescent women. STD prevention programmmes need to target both risk factors to achieve optimal risk-reduction effectiveness.Refining self-reported condom use among young men at risk of HIV acquisition
AbstractCrosby, R., DiClemente, R., Yarber, W. L., Snow, G., & Troutman, A. (n.d.).Publication year
2007Journal title
Sexual HealthVolume
4Issue
3Page(s)
211-212AbstractThis descriptive study evaluated the validity of self-reported condom use among young African American men. Thirty percent (n = 79) of the men reported consistent condom use. After accounting for late application and/or early removal of condoms, slippage, and breakage, 26 men remained classified as consistent users. Among the 79 men initially classified as consistent condom users, 695 sexual episodes were reported as 'condom-protected;' however, after correcting for user error, 29.6% of the sexual episodes were actually not protected. Studies assessing self-reported condom use among young African American men should assess user errors as well as frequency of condom use.Reflections on the design and reporting of STD/HIV behavioral intervention research
AbstractO'Leary, A., DiClemente, R., & Aral, S. O. (n.d.).Publication year
1997Journal title
AIDS Education and PreventionVolume
9Issue
1 SUPPL.Page(s)
1-14Abstract~Relational correlates of unprotected oral and vaginal sex and among African-American adolescent females
AbstractCrosby, R. A., Voisin, D. R., DiClemente, R., Wingood, G. M., Salazar, L. F., Head, S., Rose, E., & McDermott-Sales, J. (n.d.).Publication year
2013Journal title
Sexual HealthVolume
10Issue
3Page(s)
284-286AbstractObjectivesTo identify relational correlates of unprotected oral sex (UOS) and vaginal intercourse (UVI) among African-American females. Methods: Participants (n≤715) provided data on demographics, sexual communication self efficacy (SCSE), sexual communication frequency, condom self-efficacy, power in sexual relationships, fear of negotiating condom use, UOS and UVI. Results: Participants reporting low SCSE were 2.5 and 1.6 times more likely to report UOS and UVI respectively. Additionally, participants who reported fear of condom negotiation were 3.1 times more likely to report UVI. Conclusions: Interventions promoting stronger SCSE may be a protective factor against having UOS and UVI among African-American females.Relationship characteristics and sexual practices of African American adolescent girls who desire pregnancy.
AbstractDavies, S. L., DiClemente, R., Wingood, G. M., Person, S. D., Crosby, R. A., Harrington, K. F., & Dix, E. S. (n.d.).Publication year
2004Journal title
Health education & behavior : the official publication of the Society for Public Health EducationVolume
31Issue
4 SupplPage(s)
85S-96SAbstractThis study examined associations between African American adolescent girls' desire to become pregnant and their sexual and relationship practices. Odds ratios and 95% confidence intervals were used to detect significant associations between pregnancy desire and the assessed correlates. Of 522 participants (14 to 18 years old), 67 (12.8%) were pregnant and were thus excluded from this analysis. Of the remaining 455 adolescents, 107 (23.6%) expressed some desire to be pregnant at the time of assessment. Adolescents who desired pregnancy were significantly more likely to report having had sex with a casual partner and to use contraception inconsistently. Factors involving an adolescent girl's relationship with her partner (e.g., being in a relationship, length of relationship, time spent with boyfriend, or satisfaction with boyfriend) were not significantly associated with the desire for pregnancy. Effective pregnancy and sexually transmitted disease prevention programs for female adolescents should address their level of pregnancy desire.Relationship of STD-Related Shame and Stigma to Female Adolescents' Condom-Protected Intercourse
AbstractSales, J. M., DiClemente, R., Rose, E. S., Wingood, G. M., Klein, J. D., & Woods, E. R. (n.d.).Publication year
2007Journal title
Journal of Adolescent HealthVolume
40Issue
6Page(s)
573.e1-573.e6AbstractPurpose: Shame and stigma associated with sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) are barriers to adolescents seeking prompt and appropriate diagnosis and treatment. However, little is known about how these constructs are related to STD-protective behaviors, such as condom-protected intercourse. Thus, we prospectively examined the relationship between shame and stigma and condom use in adolescent females. Methods: There were 192 African American females age 17.4 ± 1.7 years (range 15-21 years) recruited for the study from local teen-oriented health clinics. At baseline, participants completed demographic and psychosocial measures (including STD-related shame and stigma), and chart- or laboratory-confirmed history of STDs was obtained. At 6 months follow-up, rate of condom-protected intercourse in past 14 days was assessed. Participants' baseline shame and stigma scores, prior history of STDs, and select demographic and theoretically important psychosocial variables were entered into a hierarchical linear regression model to predict condom-protected intercourse in the 14 days prior to the 6-month follow-up assessment. Results: After controlling for variables identified in bivariate correlations, STD-related shame was significantly predictive of condom-protected intercourse in the 14 days prior to follow-up, with higher shame predicting higher rates of condom-protected intercourse. Conclusions: Future prevention efforts attempting to reduce adolescents' risks for STDs and HIV may benefit from addressing STD-related shame and stigma in addition to explicitly linking health-promoting behavior changes (condom use) to a decreased likelihood of future infection with STDs.Reliability and Validity of the Dyadic Observed Communication Scale (DOCS)
AbstractHadley, W., Stewart, A., Hunter, H. L., Affleck, K., Donenberg, G., DiClemente, R., & Brown, L. K. (n.d.).Publication year
2013Journal title
Journal of Child and Family StudiesVolume
22Issue
2Page(s)
279-287AbstractWe evaluated the reliability and validity of the Dyadic Observed Communication Scale (DOCS) coding scheme, which was developed to capture a range of communication components between parents and adolescents. Adolescents and their caregivers were recruited from mental health facilities for participation in a large, multi-site family-based HIV prevention intervention study. Seventy-one dyads were randomly selected from the larger study sample and coded using the DOCS at baseline. Preliminary validity and reliability of the DOCS was examined using various methods, such as comparing results to self-report measures and examining interrater reliability. Results suggest that the DOCS is a reliable and valid measure of observed communication among parent-adolescent dyads that captures both verbal and nonverbal communication behaviors that are typical intervention targets. The DOCS is a viable coding scheme for use by researchers and clinicians examining parent-adolescent communication. Coders can be trained to reliably capture individual and dyadic components of communication for parents and adolescents and this complex information can be obtained relatively quickly.Religiosity and risky sexual behavior in African-American adolescent females
AbstractMcCree, D. H., Wingood, G. M., DiClemente, R., Davies, S., & Harrington, K. F. (n.d.).Publication year
2003Journal title
Journal of Adolescent HealthVolume
33Issue
1Page(s)
2-8AbstractPurpose: To examine the association between religiosity (defined by frequency of engaging in religious/spiritual activities) and African-American adolescent females' sexual behaviors, attitudes toward sex, and ability to negotiate safer sex. Methods: Between December 1996 and April 1999, 1130 female adolescents were screened for eligibility in a sexually transmitted disease (STD)/human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) prevention trial. Data collection was achieved through a confidential self-administered questionnaire that examined religiosity and a structured interview regarding sexual behavior. Descriptive statistics were used to characterize the sociodemographics of the sample and logistic regression was used to measure the association between religiosity and the outcome variables. Results: In the study sample (n = 522), 64% of the adolescents had higher religiosity scores based on a 4-item scale (α = .68). Results indicate that adolescents who had higher religiosity scores were significantly more likely to have higher self-efficacy in communicating with new, as well as steady male partners about sex; about STDs, HIV, and pregnancy prevention; and in refusing an unsafe sexual encounter. These adolescents were also more likely to have initiated sex at a later age, used a condom in the past 6 months, and possess more positive attitudes toward condom use. Conclusions: Results from this study indicate a relationship between religiosity and sexual behaviors, attitudes toward sex, and ability to negotiate safer sex.Rethinking funding priorities in mental health research
AbstractLewis-Fernández, R., Rotheram-Borus, M. J., Betts, V. T., Greenman, L., Essock, M. S., Escobar, I. J., Barch, D., Hogan, M. F., Areán, P. A., Druss, B. G., DiClemente, R., McGlashan, T. H., Jeste, D. V., Proctor, E. K., Ruiz, P., John Rush, A., Canino, J. G., Bell, C. C., Henry, R., & Iversen, P. (n.d.).Publication year
2016Journal title
British Journal of PsychiatryVolume
208Issue
6Page(s)
507-509AbstractMental health research funding priorities in high-income countries must balance longer-term investment in identifying neurobiological mechanisms of disease with shorter-term funding of novel prevention and treatment strategies to alleviate the current burden of mental illness. Prioritising one area of science over others risks reduced returns on the entire scientific portfolio.Revisiting the intersection between domestic abuse and HIV risk [2] (multiple letters)
AbstractDiClemente, R., Molina, L. D., Basinait-Smith, C., Wingood, G. M., & DiClemente, R. J. (n.d.).Publication year
1998Journal title
American journal of public healthVolume
88Issue
8Page(s)
1267-1268Abstract~Risk among men who have sex with men in the united states : A comparison of an Internet sample and a conventional outreach sample
AbstractRhodes, S. D., DiClemente, R., Cecil, H., Hergenrather, K. C., & Yee, L. J. (n.d.).Publication year
2002Journal title
AIDS Education and PreventionVolume
14Issue
1Page(s)
41-50AbstractThis study compared the demographics and risk behaviors of two samples of men who have sex with men (MSM), using cross-sectional data that were collected via the Internet and through conventional bar-based outreach. The Internet sample was significantly older, more likely to identify as "bisexual," and less educated than the bar sample. After controlling for age and education, few differences were observed between the samples. However, three variables that markedly differentiated the samples were history of sexually transmitted disease infection, HIV serostatus, and sources utilized to obtain health information. No difference in Internet use was found. Based on the possible decreased social desirability promoted by the use of electronic data collection methodologies, these findings provide preliminary evidence that Internet and bar respondents are similar and that the Internet may serve as an expedient as well as reliable methodology to increase understanding of risk among MSM.Risk and protective factors for unprotected intercourse among rural African American young adults
AbstractKogan, S. M., Brody, G. H., Chen, Y. F., Grange, C. M., Slater, L. T., & DiClemente, R. (n.d.).Publication year
2010Journal title
Public Health ReportsVolume
125Issue
5Page(s)
709-717AbstractObjectives. Despite increasing risk for human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and other sexually transmitted infections (STIs), few data are available concerning the factors associated with risky sexual behavior among African American young adults who do not attend college. Additionally, the possibility that different risk mechanisms affect men and women remains understudied. This article reports on the risk and protective factors associated with unprotected intercourse and gender differences in these factors' influence among this group. Predictors were derived from ecological and self-regulatory theories of risk behavior. Methods. African Americans aged 18-21 years were recruited via respondentdriven sampling (RDS) from seven contiguous rural counties. Risk and protective factors for unprotected intercourse were analyzed for 214 of 292 participants who reported sexual intercourse during the past three months. Results. Among sexually active participants, 62.6% used condoms inconsistently. The influence of leaving the parental home, perceived discrimination, risk-taking peers, family relationships, risk-taking propensity, and binge drinking on unprotected intercourse were moderated by gender. Positive attitudes toward condom use were associated with less unprotected intercourse controlling for the influence of risk variables for both men and women. Conclusions. Men and women have unique STI prevention needs. Additional research addressing these needs is necessary, particularly for rural African American men.Risk communication: A contemporary perspective
AbstractDiClemente, R., & Xu, M. (n.d.). (International encyclopedia of public health).Publication year
2025AbstractXu MA, DiClemente R. Risk communication: A contemporary perspective. In International encyclopedia of public health. Elsevier IncRisk-taking behavior among native American adolescents in Minnesota public schools : Comparisons with black and white adolescents
AbstractGruber, E., DiClemente, R., & Anderson, M. M. (n.d.).Publication year
1996Journal title
Ethnicity and HealthVolume
1Issue
3Page(s)
261-267AbstractObjectives. To examine rates of risk-taking behavior among native American adolescents in comparison with blacks and whites, and then to compare our off-reservation native American sample to available national statistics on reservation youth. Methods. A secondary data analysis of a Minnesota public school health survey. Contingency table analyses were performed on a 10% random sample of over 6000 young people focussing on three categories of behavioral risk: antisocial behavior, sexual behavior and substance use. Comparisons were then made to a national convenience sample from reservations and adjacent rural areas. Results. In general, native American adolescents have a significantly higher prevalence of risk behaviors across all indices of antisocial behavior and substance use relative to white and black peers. Native American females presented the most troubling picture. Comparisons to a national convenience sample from reservation lands indicated that native American adolescents in the sample often exceeded national rates of risk behavior. Conclusions. Residence and attendance at public schools outside reservation lands may make native American adolescents more likely to engage in risky behaviors which endanger their health.Risky sexual behavior and correlates of std prevalence among african american hiv serodiscordant couples
AbstractEl-Bassel, N., Wingood, G., Wyatt, G. E., Jemmott, J. B., Pequegnat, W., Landis, J. R., Bellamy, S., Gilbert, L., Remien, R. H., Witte, S., Wu, E., DiClemente, R., Myers, H., Jemmott, L. S., Metzger, D., Ballard, S., Brown, T., Greene, Q., Helker, C., … Wyatt, C. (n.d.).Publication year
2010Journal title
AIDS and BehaviorVolume
14Issue
5Page(s)
1023-1031AbstractThis paper reports baseline behavioral and biological data collected from a cohort of 535 African American HIV serodiscordant couples enrolled in the Eban study across four urban metro areas. Data were collected on (1) the prevalence of risky sexual behaviors that occur within a couple and with concurrent sexual partners, (2) the STD prevalence for each member of the couple and (3) the correlates of STDs in the male partner as well as in the female partner. Presentation of the sociodemographic characterization and HIV risk behavior profiles of African American HIV serodiscordant couples represents an important initial description of a hidden, vulnerable population. Future research should be conducted with diverse samples of African American couples (i.e., younger couples, non-stable couples) to explore other potential correlates of STD prevalence.Rural African American Parents' Knowledge and Decisions About Human Papillomavirus Vaccination
AbstractThomas, T. L., Strickland, O. L., DiClemente, R., Higgins, M., & Haber, M. (n.d.).Publication year
2012Journal title
Journal of Nursing ScholarshipVolume
44Issue
4Page(s)
358-367AbstractPurpose: To identify predictors of human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination among rural African American families. Design: Cross-sectional descriptive study in schools in three rural counties in southeastern United States. The sample consisted of African American parents or caregivers with children 9 to 13 years of age who attended elementary or middle school in 2010-2011. Methods: Using an anonymous, 26-item survey, we collected descriptive data during parent-teacher events from African American parents with children in elementary or middle school. The main outcome was measured as a response of "yes" to the statement "I have or will vaccinate my child with the HPV vaccine." In addition, composite scores of knowledge and positive attitudes and beliefs were compared. No interventions were conducted. Findings: We identified predictors of HPV vaccination and found that religious affiliation had a correlation with vaccinating or planning to vaccinate a child. Conclusions: Results indicate a need for further research on the role of local culture, including religion and faith, in rural African Americans' decisions about giving their children the HPV vaccination. Clinical Relevance: This study emphasizes the importance of understanding rural African American parents' knowledge, attitudes, and spiritual beliefs when designing health education programs and public health interventions to increase HPV vaccination uptake among African American boys and girls living in rural areas.Rural and nonrural African American high school students and STD/HIV sexual-risk behaviors
AbstractMilhausen, R. R., Crosby, R., Yarber, W. L., DiClemente, R., Wingood, G. M., & Ding, K. (n.d.).Publication year
2003Journal title
American Journal of Health BehaviorVolume
27Issue
4Page(s)
373-379AbstractObjective: To determine differences between African American adolescents on STD/HIV sexual-risk behaviors and precursors to these risk behaviors. Methods: Six hundred sixty-three rural and 3313 nonrural adolescents who completed the 1999 YRBS Survey were selected. Results: Rural females and males were more likely to report ever having coitus and not using a condom during last coitus. Rural females were also more likely to report early coistus, having 3 or more lifetime coital partners, and having more than 1 coital partner in the last 3 months. Conclusions: African American rural adolescents, particularly females, may have greater risk for STD/HIV infection than do their nonrural counterparts.