Use your browser's BACK button to return to your page of origin.
Sexual risk behaviors associated with having older sex partners: a study of black adolescent females.
Sexually Transmitted Diseases 2002;29(1):20-24.
DiClemente RJ, Wingood GM, Crosby RA, Sionean C.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Volunteer black adolescent females from neighborhoods characterized
by high rates of unemployment, substance abuse, violence, and sexually transmitted
disease were studied to determine the frequency of condom use and unprotected
vaginal sex with steady, older partners during various time periods over
the previous 6 months. GOAL: To examine associations between having male
sex partners who were typically older (by at least 2 years) and adolescent
females' sexually transmitted disease (STD)/HIV-associated sexual risk behaviors.
STUDY DESIGN: In this cross-sectional study, 522 sexually active black adolescent
females completed a questionnaire and a structured interview, of which a
portion assessed the age difference between the adolescents and their typical
sex partners. The adolescents' ages, length of relationship and their use
of hormonal contraception were identified as covariates. Adjusted odds ratios
(AOR), their 95% confidence intervals, and respective P values were calculated
to detect significant associations. RESULTS: Sixty-two percent of the adolescents
reported their typical sex partners were at least 2 years older. These adolescents
were more likely to report never using condoms during the most recent sexual
encounter (AOR = 2.0), during the last five sexual encounters (AOR = 2.0),
and during the past month (AOR = 2.2). Similarly, having older partners was
associated with greater odds of reporting any unprotected vaginal sex in
the past 30 days (AOR = 1.7) or the past 6 months (AOR = 1.5). CONCLUSION:
Our findings suggest that many adolescent females have sex partners who are
at least 2 years older and that their relationship dynamics do not favor
the adoption and maintenance of behavior protective against STD or HIV infection.
Prevention programs could include training designed to help adolescent females
overcome barriers to safer sex with older male partners.