An understanding of the sex divide among preteen adolescents at high risk of HIV and substance abuse D. DeFreitas1, C. Virata2, N. Greene2, E. Callahan2, C. Drake2 1University of California, Davis, Internal Medicine, Sacramento, United States, 2University of California, Davis, Sacramento, United States Abstract Background: Little is understood about the preteen sexual difference. Methods: 350 youth from a mid size American town were surveyed about their HIV risk behavior. Results: Males tended to have more sexual experience, more sexual partners, and more drug and alcohol use with sex. Female tended to be more confident in the ability to pick partners, resist high HIV risk situations, and negotiate condom use. Fewer females compared to males used condoms with sexual partners. Fewer female felt that they could persuade a partner to use a condom. Conclusion: Preteen boy and girls show different patterns of HIV risk. Objectives Youth are extremely vulnerable to HIV acquisition, addiction, and inappropriate sexual initiation. The objective of this study was to determine if there were differences in sexual behaviors and attitudes between preteen youth based on sex. Methods Results Conclusion Recent Sexual Activity by Risk Perception References. We evaluated youth at risk youth in the Northern California by administering a detailed survey which included household information, youth described behavior involving sex, drug use, and HIV knowledge. This survey was administered to most of the children while they were on school grounds. Surveys were given in the language children were most comfortable with. Data was collected in a confidential manner In this preliminary evaluation preteen girls seem less likely than boys to negotiate condom use with future partners and make up a lower number of those who were using safer sex practices. This suggest that trends in sexual difference in HIV risk behavior may begin prior to preteen years. Our cohort was 50% female, 55% African-American, and 18% non primary English speakers. Ages were between most between % of subjects had been sexual active. 30%(51) of the males reported sexual activity compared to only 15%(24) of the females.(p.89) Males reported a higher rate of drug/alcohol use related to sex within the last 3 months(7.4% vs. 2.4%) (p <.05)_Males made up 75% of those reporting condom use in the last month <.05). On four-point Likert scales females felt more confident about their ability not to have sex if pressured(1.3 vs 1.84, p <.05), more confident in the ability not to have sex without a condom(1.56 vs 1.92, p<.05), but less confident in the ability to persuade their male sex partners to use a a condom( 2.02 vs. 1.84), p=0.12. There are non significant trends for girls to use more tobacco and for boys to use more marijuana. Strunin, L. and R. Hingson, Acquired immunodeficiency syndrome and adolescents: knowledge, beliefs, attitudes, and behaviors. Pediatrics, (5): p Hingson, R., L. Strunin, and B. Berlin, Acquired immunodeficiency syndrome transmission: changes in knowledge and behaviors among teenagers, Massachusetts statewide surveys, 1986 to Pediatrics, (1): p Durbin, M., et al., Factors associated with multiple sex partners among junior high school students. J Adolesc Health, (3): p Shafer, M.A., et al., Relationship between drug use and sexual behaviors and the occurrence of sexually transmitted diseases among high-risk male youth. Sex Transm Dis, (6): p Kann, L., et al., Youth Risk Behavior Surveillance--United States, State and Local YRBSS Coordinators. J Sch Health, (9): p Koniak-Griffin, D. and M.L. Brecht, Linkages between sexual risk taking, substance use, and AIDS knowledge among pregnant adolescents and young mothers. Nurs Res, (6): p Magura, S., J.L. Shapiro, and S.Y. Kang, Condom use among criminally-involved adolescents. AIDS Care, (5): p Moss, N., Behavioral risks for HIV in adolescents. Acta Paediatr Suppl, : p