217. “I'm Not Gonna Die Because of an STD”: Female African American Adolescents’ Perspectives on How they Protected Themselves from Sexual Risks While in Foster Care

Abstract

Vulnerable youth with a history of adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) are at greater risk for negative sexual and reproductive health (SRH) outcomes. Many of these youth are placed into foster care and lack supportive relationships to help them navigate life. Researchers tend to focus on adolescents’ deficits and do not often seek youths’ perspectives about their strengths. The purpose of this qualitative descriptive study was to explore and describe how female African American youth with a history of foster care placement protect themselves from SRH risks from their perspectives.