PURPOSE

This study explored the substance abuse and human immunodeficiency virus prevention needs of urban minority adolescents.

DESIGN

Six 1-hour focus groups.

SETTING

Two high schools and two community-based organizations located in the city of Paterson, New Jersey.

PARTICIPANTS

The sample included 41 African-American and Latino youth, ranging in ages from 13 to 18 years.

METHOD

Data were collected through six focus group interviews. Each group discussion was audio-recorded and transcribed. Qualitative software was then used to facilitate the processes of thematic analysis, until emergent themes transcended the data. To bolster the rigor and confirmability of analysis, additional researchers coded stratified selections of transcript.

RESULTS

Study participants were able to identify the environmental threats and structural deficits impacting their city. Few of the youth were able to recognize substance abuse and HIV/AIDS prevention messages in their immediate surroundings. Additionally, most participants indicated that prevention messages must be delivered in authentic ways from relatable sources in order to resonate with their audience.

CONCLUSION

Our findings emphasize the importance of infusing the adolescents' voices into the design and implementation of health promotion messages, which could serve to increase their receptivity and responsiveness, and the overall resonance of the interventions.