Background: High incidence rates of HIV/AIDS infections among youth draw attention to
the need for emphasizing the reduction of risky sexual behavior, a major contributor to the
spread of HIV/AIDS. Few researchers have examined the relationship between self-efficacy
for HIV/AIDS preventions, depressive symptoms, and adolescent risky sexual behavior.
This insufficient understanding limits nurses’ ability to provide effective programs for
reducing adolescents’ risky sexual behaviors.
Objectives: This study was conducted to investigate the relationships among HIV/AIDS
preventive self-efficacy, depressive symptoms, and risky sexual behavior in Taiwanese
adolescents.