Factors Associated with Sexual Intercourse Among African-Born Adolescents. Part 5

In collectivist cultures, individuals are more concerned with the opinion of the family and friends than in individualistic cultures (Aggleton, 1996; Airhihenbuwa & Obregon, 2000). Thus, it seems reasonable to suppose that subjective norms, which are based on the opinions of other people (Ajzen, 2002), will be more important in collectivist cultures than in individualistic cultures. Are cultural factors major contributors to age of first sexual initiation among African-born adolescents living in Southern California?

This study was conducted in Southern California because a larger number of African-born immigrants, migrants and refugees live in this region than in any other part of California. According to Summit Health Institute for Research and Education (SHIRE), as of March 2005, Southern California had about 102,655 residents of African origin in California, with Los Angeles and San Diego Counties reporting 37,000 and 12,000, respectively. In a recent health survey conducted among Africans who migrated to the United States and are residents of Los Angeles, Orange, San Bernardino and San Diego Counties, the respondents expressed dissatisfaction at the low level of cultural competence exhibited by their health care providers. The respondents believed that health care workers are very ignorant about African immigrants and their cultures (SHIRE, 2005). How these migrants access health care for HIV/AIDS or what their attitudes and beliefs are about the disease, and which risk behaviors are practiced are poorly understood. Therefore, we attempted to help understand how cultural beliefs and practices may influence the spread of HIV/AIDS among this migrant group.

Theoretical Framework
The theory of planned behavior (Ajzen, 1991) was used as a theoretical model for this study. In this theory, Ajzen (2002) indicates that the best predictors of teen

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