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Factors Associated with Parent–Child Communication About HIV/AIDS in the United States and Kenya: A Cross-Cultural Comparison

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Abstract

This study explored parent–child communication about HIV/AIDS among two populations disproportionately affected by HIV. Similar computer-assisted surveys were completed by parents of pre-teens, including 1,115 African American parents of 9–12-year-old children in southeastern US and 403 parents of 10–12-year-old children in Nyanza Province, Kenya. Multivariate analyses identified factors associated with parental report of ever talking to their child about HIV/AIDS. Twenty-nine percent of US parents and 40% in Kenya had never talked to their pre-teen about HIV/AIDS. In both countries, communication was more likely if parents perceived their child to be ready to learn about sex topics, had gotten information to educate their child about sex, and had greater sexual communication responsiveness (skill, comfort, and confidence communicating about sexuality). Programs are needed that help parents assess children’s readiness to learn about sexual issues; access accurate information about adolescent sexual risks; and acquire the responsiveness needed to discuss sexual issues, including HIV/AIDS.

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Notes

  1. Items included: (1) If my son/daughter asked me a question about a sex topic, I would be glad s/he asked; (2) If my son/daughter asked me a question about a sex topic, I would answer his/her question; (3) I feel comfortable talking to my son/daughter about sex topics; (4) I know how to talk to my child about sex topics; (5) I feel prepared to talk with my son/daughter about sex topics as s/he grows up.

  2. Items included: (1) If TC asked me a question about a sex issue I would respond; (2) If TC asked me a question about a sex issue I would try to answer his/her question with the information s/he needs; (3) TC can ask me the question she/she really wants to know about sex issues; (4) If TC asked me a question about a sex issue I would be embarrassed (reverse-coded); (5) I would be comfortable if TC asked me a question about a sex issue; (6) I am free talking to TC about sex issues; (7) I have enough information about sex issues to talk to TC; (8) I know how to talk to TC about sex issues; (9) I can answer the questions TC has about sex issues.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Global AIDS Program, NCHHSTP, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 1600 Clifton Road, NE, Mailstop E-45, Atlanta, GA, 30333, USA

    Melissa N. Poulsen

  2. Division of HIV/AIDS Prevention, NCHHSTP, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA, USA

    Kim S. Miller, Carol Lin, Amy Fasula & Sarah C. Wyckoff

  3. Institute for Tropical Medicine, Antwerp, Belgium

    Hilde Vandenhoudt

  4. Kenya Medical Research Institute, Kisumu, Kenya

    Juliet Ochura & Christopher O. Obong’o

  5. University of Vermont, Burlington, VT, USA

    Rex Forehand

Authors
  1. Melissa N. Poulsen
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  2. Kim S. Miller
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  3. Carol Lin
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  4. Amy Fasula
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  5. Hilde Vandenhoudt
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  6. Sarah C. Wyckoff
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  7. Juliet Ochura
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  8. Christopher O. Obong’o
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  9. Rex Forehand
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Correspondence to Melissa N. Poulsen.

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Poulsen, M.N., Miller, K.S., Lin, C. et al. Factors Associated with Parent–Child Communication About HIV/AIDS in the United States and Kenya: A Cross-Cultural Comparison. AIDS Behav 14, 1083–1094 (2010). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10461-009-9612-4

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10461-009-9612-4

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