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Perceived susceptibility to pregnancy and sexually transmitted disease among pregnant and nonpregnant adolescents
Journal of Community Psychology 2003;31(4):419-434.
Kershaw TS, Niccolai LM, Ethier KA, Lewis JB, Ickovics JR.
Abstract
This study of urban adolescent females investigated predictors of perceived
susceptibility to single and dual sexual outcomes (pregnancy only, sexually
transmitted disease [STD] only, pregnancy and STDs). Thirty percent of participants
felt susceptible to dual sexual outcomes. We developed a predictive model
of perceived susceptibility to pregnancy/STDs from sexual risk-behavior,
sexual consequences (e.g., recent pregnancy and STD), relationship, cognitive,
psychological, and personal factors. Dual pregnancy and STD susceptibility
was associated with more than one sexual partner in the past year, no hormonal
contraception use, inconsistent condom use, not being pregnant, and White
race. In contrast, pregnancy-only susceptibility was associated with only
hormonal contraceptive use and not being pregnant. Finally, STD susceptibility
was associated with more than one sexual partner in the past year, no hormonal
contraceptive use, and low self-esteem. We must understand how individuals
perceive their susceptibility to complex combinations of reproductive health
outcomes (e.g., pregnancy and STDs) to design interventions to increase condom
and contraceptive use among adolescent females.
© 2003 Wiley Periodicals,
Inc. J Comm Psychol 31: 419-434, 2003.