Risk and Protective Factors Associated with the Transition to a First Sexual Relationship with an Older Partner

PurposeTo examine whether family, individual, peer and school characteristics are associated with the transition to a first sexual experience with a partner who is three or more years older.MethodsUsing multinomial logistic regressions, we analyzed a sample of female teens from the National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent Health to assess risk and protective factors associated with having a first sexual experience with a partner three or more years older, compared with a similar-aged partner and compared with not engaging in sexual intercourse.ResultsYounger and foreign-born teens, with lower parent education, with older friendship networks, and attending a school that spans multiple grades, had greater odds of having a first sexual experience with an older partner than with a similar-aged partner. Hispanics and premenarche females had lower odds of having an older sexual partner than of abstaining from sexual intercourse. In contrast, older age, lower parent education, nonintact family structure, less connection to and more communication with parents, substance use or having peers who used substances, and having older peers were associated with increased odds of having sex with an older partner, compared with not engaging in sexual intercourse.ConclusionThe findings underscore the importance of educating teens about the risks associated with dating and sexual relationships with older partners, and of educating parents to be especially attentive to the age composition of their teens’ circle of friends. Our research has implications for families and program providers, by identifying target risk groups in need of potential prevention efforts.     

A Statewide Survey of Age at First Intercourse for Adolescent Females and Age of Their Male Partners: Relation to Other Risk Behaviors and Statutory Rape Implications

In a statewide survey of a representative sample of adolescent girls in 8th–12th grades (N = 4201), information was obtained on age at first intercourse and age of their male partners. Excluding intercourse experiences where physical force was threatened or used, 31% had intercourse by age 15 and 45% by age 16. Contrary to the impression left by studies of teenage mothers, girls who first had sex between age 13 and age 15 or between age 16 and age 18 did not have a large percentage of much older partners (5 or more years older; 12 and 7%, respectively). The percentage of much older partners was higher, however, for girls who had sex in very early adolescence, ages 11–12 (34%). Much older male partners were associated with greater problem behaviors for girls who first had intercourse in very early adolescence (11–12), but less so for those who first had intercourse between age 13 and age 15 (truancy only) and not at all for those who first had intercourse at between 16 and 18. Regardless of partner's age disparity, earlier age at first intercourse during adolescence was associated with a greater number of other problem behaviors. The implications of these findings for recent calls to enforce statutory rape laws more stringently to reduce teenage pregnancy were discussed.     

STDs Among Sexually Active Female College Students: Does Sexual Orientation Make a Difference?

CONTEXT: Research addressing sexual health or STD risk among lesbian and bisexual college women is scarce. METHODS: Data on 29,952 sexually active females aged 18–24 who completed the 2006 National College Health Assessment were examined to assess differences in sexual risk factors and recent STD incidence by sexual orientation. Comparisons were analyzed at the bivariate level and through multivariate logistic regression. RESULTS: Bisexual students were the most likely to have had an STD during the past year (9%); lesbians were the least likely (2%). However, lesbians were also the least likely to have had a routine gynecologic examination (46%, compared with 64–73% of others). Among students who had had multiple partners in the past year, those who had had partners of both sexes were more likely to have had an STD (16%) than were students who had had only male partners (9%) or only female partners (6%). Students who had binged on alcohol the last time they partied, had had multiple partners or had had a routine gynecologic examination in the past year, had been tested for HIV or had not used condoms at last vaginal intercourse were at increased odds of having had an STD (odds ratios, 1.3–4.0). CONCLUSIONS: Sexual health programs targeting female college students, regardless of sexual orientation, must focus on behavioral risks associated with STDs. In addition, the importance of regular gynecologic exams should be emphasized, especially among lesbians. Further research is needed on risk‐taking among female college students who are sexually active with both sexes.     

Daily participation in sports and students' sexual activity

CONTEXT: Previous studies suggest that student athletes may be less likely than nonathletes to engage in sexual behavior. However, few have explored sexual risk behavior among athletes in early adolescence. METHODS: In 2005, a sample of 10,487 students in 26 Los Angeles public middle and high schools completed a self‐administered survey that asked about their demographic characteristics, sports participation, sexual behaviors and expectations, and parental relationships. Chi‐square analyses compared reported levels of daily participation in sports, experience with intercourse, experience with oral sex and condom use at last intercourse by selected characteristics. Predictors of sexual experience and condom use were assessed in multivariate logistic regression analyses. RESULTS: One‐third of students reported daily participation in sports. This group had higher odds of ever having had intercourse and ever having had oral sex than their peers who did not play a sport daily (odds ratios, 1.2 and 1.1, respectively). The increases in risk were greater for middle school sports participants than for their high school counterparts (1.5 and 1.6, respectively). Among sexually experienced students, daily sports participants also had elevated odds of reporting condom use at last intercourse (1.4). CONCLUSIONS: Students as young as middle school age who participate in sports daily may have an elevated risk for STDs and pregnancy. Health professionals should counsel middle school athletes about sexual risk reduction, given that young students may find it particularly difficult to obtain contraceptives, STD testing and prevention counseling.     

Older male sexual partner as a marker for sexual risk-taking in adolescent females in Nova Scotia

PURPOSE: To examine age differences between Nova Scotia women aged 15-19 and their male sexual partners, and to determine if those adolescents with older partners were more likely to have engaged in sexual risk-taking behaviours. METHODS: A cross-sectional survey (response rate=91%) administered in May 2003 assessed the following sexual risk behaviours: (a) not using condom/hormonal contraception at last vaginal intercourse; (b) having unplanned vaginal intercourse while using alcohol or drugs; (c) having more than one partner in the previous year; (d) vaginal intercourse before age 15; and (e) ever having anal intercourse. Univariate analysis was carried out to determine associations of sexual risk behaviours with partner age difference. Logistic regression was then used to examine behaviours associated with partner age (p < 0.15) in univariate analysis. RESULTS: Of the young women surveyed, 520 (47.7%) had had vaginal intercourse in the previous year; 515 of these provided information on their last partner's age. Over 10% had partners four or more years older. In multivariate analysis, having a partner > or =4 years older was associated with not using a condom at last intercourse (OR 2.15; 95% Cl 1.10-4.20), having more than one partner in the previous year (OR 21.9; 95% Cl 1.13-4.28) and having unplanned vaginal intercourse while using alcohol or drugs (OR 2.66; 95% Cl 1.34-5.28). CONCLUSIONS: A significant number of female adolescents have older male sexual partners, and such relationships are markers for high-risk sexual behaviours. Partner age is an important consideration for health professionals providing sexual health advice to young women.     

Are Adolescent Girls With a Physical Disability at Increased Risk for Sexual Violence?

BACKGROUND: The purpose of this study was to investigate whether US female adolescents who self-reported having a physical disability or long-term health problem were more likely to report having been physically forced to have sexual intercourse than US female adolescents without a physical disability or long-term health problem. METHODS: Using data from the 2005 U.S. National Youth Risk Behavior Survey (YRBS), we employed logistic regression analyses to estimate the association between physical disability (and other variables) and the risk for sexual violence among US high school girls. RESULTS: Female high school students who reported a physical disability or long-term health problem were more likely to report having been physically forced to have sexual intercourse than those who did not (19.6% vs 9.4%;χ² = 14.51, p = .003). Results from our multivariate analysis reveal that this association remained significant (adjusted odds ratio [AOR], 1.57; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.10–2.23) after adjusting for certain demographic characteristics, physical health problems, behavioral health risks, and violent conduct. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings suggest that adolescent girls in the United States with a physical disability or long-term health problem may be at increased risk for sexual violence. It is important that national efforts to reduce sexual violence consider how to address the unmet needs of children and adolescents with disabilities. As most adolescent girls spend the majority of their time in a school setting, it is of particular importance that school health professionals are aware of the current findings.     

Coercive forms of sexual risk and associated violence perpetrated by male partners of female adolescents

CONTEXT: Partner violence is associated with STDs among female adolescents, but the mechanisms underlying this association remain unclear. Sexually coercive and deceptive behaviors of male partners that increase female STD risk may be factors in this relationship. METHODS: A sample of 356 females aged 14–20 who attended adolescent health clinics in Greater Boston between April and December 2006 were assessed for physical and sexual violence perpetrated by male partners and for exposure to sexual risk factors. Adjusted logistic regression models were used to examine the associations between intimate partner violence and standard sexual risk behaviors (e.g., multiple partnerships) and coercive or deceptive sexual risk factors (e.g., coerced condom nonuse). RESULTS: More than two‐fifths of the sample had experienced intimate partner violence. In adjusted analyses, adolescents reporting intimate partner violence were more likely than others to report standard sexual risk behaviors—multiple partners, anal sex and unprotected anal sex (odds ratios, 1.7–2.2). They also were more likely to report coercive or deceptive sexual risk factors—partner sexual infidelity, fear of requesting condom use, negative consequences of condom request, and coerced condom nonuse (2.9–5.3). CONCLUSION: The high prevalence of intimate partner violence against young women attending adolescent clinics strongly indicates the need to target this population for abuse‐related interventions. This need is underlined by the observed association between partner violence and sexual risk involving coercion or deception by male partners. Clinic‐based STD and pregnancy prevention efforts should include assessment of sexual risk factors that are beyond the control of young women, particularly for those experiencing abuse.     

Sexual intercourse and oral sex among public middle school students: prevalence and correlates

CONTEXT: Early sexual initiation is associated with elevated teenage pregnancy and STD risk, yet little is known about the prevalence and correlates of sexual behavior among young adolescents. Better information is needed to guide interventions to prevent early sexual debut. METHODS: Data from a 2005 survey of 4,557 sixth‐, seventh‐ and eighth‐grade students at 14 urban public schools in Southern California were analyzed using chi‐square tests and logistic regression, to identify correlates of oral sex, intercourse and both. RESULTS: Overall, 9% of youth had ever had sexual intercourse, and 8% had had oral sex. Three percent reported having had oral sex only, 4% intercourse only and 5% both. Among those who reported intercourse, 69% had used a condom at last intercourse, and 43% had had multiple partners. Being male, being black and having at least one friend who had ever been involved in a pregnancy were positively associated with having had intercourse only and both intercourse and oral sex (odds ratios, 1.7–4.2). Being in eighth grade, expecting to have intercourse in the next six months and currently having a boyfriend or girlfriend were positively associated with all three outcomes (2.1–7.2). Intercourse and oral sex were highly correlated. CONCLUSIONS: Interventions addressing oral sex, intercourse and multiple partners should begin before sixth grade and continue throughout the middle school years. Health professionals should target adolescent risk reduction counseling toward males, blacks, youth with a boyfriend or girlfriend, and those with a friend who has been involved in a pregnancy.     

Predictors of Early Initiation of Vaginal and Oral Sex Among Urban Young Adults in Baltimore, Maryland

Over the past three decades, most research on adolescent sexual behavior has focused on vaginal intercourse and related behaviors, including contraception and unintended pregnancy. In this study, we describe the prevalence and correlates of vaginal, oral, and anal sex in an epidemiologically defined population in Baltimore, Maryland. Young adults (ages 18–24), who had been enrolled in a behavioral intervention trial during elementary school, were interviewed by telephone between 1998 and 2002 to assess their sexual behavior. Of 1679 respondents interviewed, 70.8% were Black and 55% were women. Overall, 93% of the young adults reported vaginal intercourse, 78% reported receiving oral sex, 57% reported performing oral sex, and 10% reported receptive anal intercourse. Among men, 27% reported insertive anal intercourse. Blacks initiated vaginal intercourse at an earlier age than Whites; White women performed oral sex earlier than Black women. Significant interactions were observed between age of first vaginal partner and both gender and race/ethnicity. Blacks with older partners initiated sex at an earlier age than both Blacks with a partner the same age or younger and Whites. We also observed a relationship between older female sex partners and earlier vaginal sex initiation among men. We conclude that older sex partners play an important role in sexual initiation among young adults. In light of the rates of oral and anal sex, sexual education and intervention programs should address the risk for unintended consequences of these behaviors.     

The Effects of Internet Exposure on Sexual Risk Behavior Among Sexually Experienced Male College Students in China: Cross-sectional Study

BackgroundAs a young subgroup, college students have become the main users of mobile social networks. Considering that people can indiscriminately access explicit sexual content on the internet, coupled with the increase of HIV infections in male college students, the role of the internet in meeting sexual partners and its correlation to risky sexual behavior has become an important topic.ObjectiveThe aim of this study is to explore the effects of internet exposure on sexual partners and sexual risk behavior among sexually experienced male college students.MethodsAn institution-based cross-sectional study design was used to collect data through a paper-based questionnaire administered to male college students recruited from colleges and gay organizations in Hangzhou, Zhejiang Province, China. A total of 1045 sexually experienced male students were incorporated in our analysis, with the following information collected: sociodemographic characteristics, sexual intercourse–related behaviors, and sexually transmitted disease (STD) knowledge. Mann-Whitney U and Kruskal-Wallis tests were used to examine differences regarding basic characteristics and sexual risk behaviors between male college students who meet sexual partners via the internet and those who do not. Sequential logistic regression models were employed to examine the influence of meeting sexual partners via the internet on risky sexual behaviors after controlling for other factors.ResultsThe mean age of the sexually experienced male students was 21.6 (SD 2.0) years. The likelihood of risky sexual behavior was varied, yet it was the highest for those who aim to meet paid sexual partners (145/192, 75.5% to 19/22, 86.4%), followed by those seeking partners for love or romance (258/435, 59.3%). Compared to non-internet partner seekers, internet partner seekers tended to have more casual intercourse (292/542, 53.9% versus 51/503, 10.1%), paid intercourse (32/542, 5.9% versus 12/503, 2.4%), and intercourse with same-sex partners (349/542, 64.4% versus 41/503, 8.2%); they were also more likely to use psychoactive drugs (125/349, 35.8% versus 5/41, 12.2%) and have more than 2 partners. With the increase of HIV and STD knowledge, the probability of having unprotected intercourse decreased for non-internet partner seekers. However, it increased for internet partner seekers with a rising HIV knowledge score. Sequential logistic regression showed that meeting sexual partners on the internet was statistically associated with sexual risk behaviors with multiple sexual partners (odds ratio 4.434; P<.001).ConclusionsMeeting sexual partners via the internet is a common behavior among sexually experienced male college students, and those who meet partners on the internet exhibited higher levels of risky sexual behaviors although they had sufficient HIV and STD knowledge; this is especially true for students who aimed to find partners for sexual intercourse. Thus, more attention should be paid to young adults to address the risky sexual behaviors that may contribute to STD spread among this population.     

Substance use and HIV-related sexual behaviors among US high school students: are they related?

OBJECTIVES. This study was undertaken to examine whether use of alcohol, cigarettes, marijuana, cocaine, and other illicit drugs is related to the likelihood of sexual behaviors that increase risk for human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection among youth. METHODS. The 1990 national Youth Risk Behavior Survey was used to collect self-reported information about a broad range of health risk behaviors from a representative sample of 11,631 high school students in the United States. RESULTS. Students who reported no substance use were least likely to report having had sexual intercourse, having had four or more sex partners, and not having used a condom at last sexual intercourse. Adjusted for age, sex, and race/ethnicity, odds ratios for each of these sexual risk behaviors were greatest among students who had used marijuana, cocaine, or other illicit drugs. Students who had used only alcohol or cigarettes had smaller but still significant increases in the likelihood of having had sexual intercourse and of having had four or more sex partners. CONCLUSIONS. HIV prevention programs for youth should recognize that substance use may be an important indicator of risk for HIV infection and acquired immunodeficiency syndrome through its association with unsafe sexual behaviors.     

Unintended pregnancy and its risk factors among university students in eastern China

BACKGROUND: The study was conducted to determine the prevalence of unintended pregnancy, induced abortion and contraceptive use, and factors associated with unintended pregnancy among Chinese university students. STUDY DESIGN: A self-administered questionnaire survey with cross-sectional design was administered among students in two universities in Ningbo, China, in November-December 2003. Sociodemographic and behavioral factors associated with unintended pregnancy were identified in both genders using univariate and multivariate analyses. RESULTS: Of sexually active students, 10.6% of male and 11.6% of female students reported their partner or they had a history of pregnancy; 10.0% of male and 11.3% of female students reported their partner or they had a history of induced abortion. The risk factors for unintended pregnancy identified among males by multivariate analysis were older age [odds ratio (OR), 2.12; 95% confidence interval (CI), 1.15-3.88], initiation of sexual activity before high school (OR, 2.45; 95% CI, 1.36-4.44), reported lack of condom use in first sexual activity (OR, 1.71; 95% CI, 1.10-2.64), multiple sexual partners (OR, 1.54; 95% CI, 1.06-2.23), and often used condoms during their lifetime (OR, 1.97; 95% CI, 1.01-3.81). The identified risk factors among females were initiation of sexual activity before high school (OR, 5.12; 95% CI, 1.49-17.68), non-consensual sexual intercourse as first sex (OR, 1.77; 95% CI, 1.08-2.90), multiple partners (OR, 2.75; 95% CI, 1.61-4.71), and sometimes/never (OR, 3.02; 95% CI, 1.16-7.87) or often (OR, 3.92; 95% CI, 1.43-10.73) used condoms during their lifetime. CONCLUSION: The high prevalence of unintended pregnancies and induced abortions in this population indicates a need for better and targeted sex education and family planning services.     

The relationship context of contraceptive use at first intercourse

CONTEXT: Despite widespread efforts to increase contraceptive use to prevent both pregnancy and sexually transmitted diseases among sexually active adolescents, most prior work examining adolescent contraceptive use does not explicitly recognize that sexual decision-making inherently involves both partners in a couple. METHODS: An analytic sample of 1,593 females who first had intercourse during adolescence (prior to age 18) was drawn from the 1995 National Survey of Family Growth. Logistic regression and multinomial logistic regression techniques were used to model the effects of sexual partners' characteristics and relationship type on contraceptive use at first intercourse and contraceptive method selected at first intercourse. RESULTS: Approximately 31% of respondents used no contraceptive method at first intercourse. Roughly half (52%) of adolescents who had just met their sexual partner used no method, compared with 24% of those who were going steady. Whereas 75% of teenagers who practiced contraception at first intercourse used a condom, 17% relied on the pill. In multivariate models, net of other variables, adolescents who had just met their partner had 66% lower odds than those who were going steady of practicing contraception at first intercourse. Individual-level factors that influenced contraceptive use at first intercourse were age at first intercourse, race or ethnicity family type, parents' education, grades in school and receipt of birth control education prior to first intercourse. Differences between respondents and their partner in age and race or ethnicity mostly were not significantly related to method use at first intercourse. One exception was that adolescents who first had sex with a man six or more years older had reduced odds of practicing contraception. Type of relationship was significantly associated with method selection only among adolescents who were just friends with their first partner, who had higher odds of using "other" methods rather than the condom. Variables associated with pill use rather than condom use were age at first sex, race, family type, mother's education and school grades. CONCLUSIONS: Further efforts to understand contraceptive choice among adolescents should focus on relationship features. Research on the decision-making process surrounding contraceptive use may benefit from treating this as a partner decision and not just as a decision made by one member of the couple. Further research examining the qualities of the relationship may provide important clues for understanding adolescent contraceptive choice.     

Patterns of contraceptive use within teenagers' first sexual relationships

CONTEXT Teenagers have a high unintended pregnancy rate, in part because of inconsistent use or nonuse of contraceptives. It is important to determine how partner and relationship characteristics are related to contraceptive use and consistency within adolescents' first sexual relationships. METHODS Logistic and multinomial logistic regression analyses of data from 1,027 participants in the first two waves of the National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent Health examined the influence of relationship and partner characteristics on ever‐use and consistent use of contraceptive methods during teenagers' first sexual relationships RESULTS Teenagers who had waited a longer time between the start of a relationship and first sex with that partner, discussed contraception before first having sex or used dual contraceptive methods had significantly increased odds of ever or always using contraceptives. Adolescents who had taken a virginity pledge, had an older partner, had a greater number of close friends who knew their first partner, or reported having a relationship that was not romantic but that involved holding hands, kissing and telling their partners they liked or loved them had decreased odds of contraceptive use or consistency. As relationship length increased, teenagers were more likely to ever have used a method, but less likely to always have used a method. CONCLUSIONS Parents and programs should encourage teenagers to delay sexual intercourse, discuss contraception with partners before initiating sex and be vigilant about contraceptive use, particularly in long‐term sexual relationships and in relationships with older partners.     

Older sexual partners during adolescence: links to reproductive health outcomes in young adulthood

CONTEXT: Sex at a young age with an older partner has been linked to poor reproductive health outcomes during adolescence, but minimal research has examined the influence of teenagers' having an older sexual partner on reproductive health outcomes during the transition to young adulthood. METHODS: Logistic regression and contrast analyses of three waves of data from the National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent Health were used to examine whether individuals who had had sex before age 16 with a partner at least three years their senior were at increased risk of becoming teenage or unmarried parents or of contracting an STD by young adulthood. RESULTS: Ten percent of females and 2% of males had had early sex with an older partner. These females were more likely to acquire an STD as young adults than were those whose riskiest relationship was before age 16 with a similar-aged partner (odds ratio, 2.1) or at age 16 or later with a similar-aged or older partner (2.4 and 2.6, respectively). For males, having sex before 16, regardless of partner age, was associated with an elevated STD risk (odds ratio, 1.9), although controlling for relationship history characteristics attenuated the association. CONCLUSIONS: Adolescents, particularly young adolescents, should be made aware of the potential risks associated with having older sexual partners. In particular, program providers should be alerted that females who engage in early sexual activity with older partners are at especially high risk of experiencing adverse reproductive health consequences.     

Female genital cutting and HIV/AIDS among Kenyan women

Female genital cutting (FGC) and HIV/AIDS are both highly prevalent in sub-Saharan Africa, and researchers have speculated that the association may be more than coincidental. Data from 3167 women aged 15-49 who participated in the 2003 Kenya Demographic and Health Survey (KDHS) are used to test the direct and indirect associations of FGC with HIV. Our adjusted models suggest that FGC is not associated directly with HIV, but is associated indirectly through several pathways. Cut women are 1.72 times more likely than uncut women to have older partners, and women with older partners are 2.65 times more likely than women with younger partners to test positive for HIV Cut women have 1.94 times higher odds than uncut women of initiating sexual intercourse before they are 20, and women who experience their sexual debut before age 20 have 1.73 times higher odds than those whose sexual debut comes later of testing positive for HIV. Cut women have 27 percent lower odds of having at least one extra-union partner, and women with an extra-union partner have 2.63 times higher odds of testing positive for HIV. Therefore, in Kenya, FGC may be an early life-course event that indirectly alters women's odds of becoming infected with HIV through protective and harmful practices in adulthood.     

北京市三所卫校女生性相关知识、态度和行为调查研究

目的 了解卫生类中专女生性相关知识、态度和行为的现状,为该类学校加强学生保健工作提供依据.方法 采取无记名自填问卷方法,对三所卫生类中专在校一、二年级女生进行问卷调查.结果 卫生类中专女生异性性行为的报告率为8.8％,同性性行为的报告率为4.7％.Logistic回归分析发现,随年级增加、男女同校、有男朋友、有同性性行为、吸烟、看过色情制品、有离家出走意念是被调查女生发生异性性行为的危险因素,而通过学校青春期相关课程了解性相关知识是保护因素;有同性恋人、有异性性行为是被调查女生发生同性性行为的危险因素.结论 对卫生类中专,特别是男女同校学生应加强相应课程或性健康教育活动,引导学生建立正确的性观念和采取安全性行为.     

Young women under 16 years with experience of sexual intercourse: who becomes pregnant?

BACKGROUND: The UK has the highest rate of teenage pregnancies in western Europe. Although there is a large body of literature focusing on predictors of conception among this age group, almost all the work compares those young women who have become pregnant with their peers, regardless of whether or not their peers have experienced sexual intercourse. OBJECTIVE: To compare 16-year-old young women who have become pregnant with their peers who also have experience of sexual intercourse, but who have not conceived. DESIGN: Analysis of data from the baseline and follow-up surveys conducted as part of a trial of sex education. SETTING AND PARTICIPANTS: Female school students aged 14-16 years from the East of Scotland. MAIN RESULTS: Young age of self and partner, and non-use of contraception, all at first intercourse, are most strongly associated with pregnancy. CONCLUSIONS: Those who engage in sexual intercourse at a relatively young age will often have had more opportunity to become pregnant than those whose sexual debut comes later. Similarly, the fact that those who use contraception at first intercourse have been less likely to conceive than those who do not could reflect the overall patterns of contraceptive use: young women who have used contraception at each occasion of intercourse will have had less chance to conceive than those who have not. Having a young partner at first intercourse suggests that, if this pattern continues, the couple may lack the resources needed to prevent a pregnancy due to the immaturity of both partners.     

Caught between teens and the law: family planning programs and statutory rape reporting

In the US, policy-makers and legislators have considered using statutory rape prosecutions of males to reduce the incidence of adolescent pregnancy or the incidence of minors being exploited sexually by much older males. However, health care professionals fear that mandatory reporting of such cases will discourage young women from seeking health care. Statutory rape laws vary from state to state, but every state has an age below which a minor may not legally consent to sexual intercourse. Reporting laws are more complicated because they are tied to child abuse statutes instead of statutory rape laws. In about half of the states, the definition of child abuse includes some cases of statutory rape. Thus, agencies created to deal with intrafamilial abuse have no mechanism for responding to reports of extrafamilial statutory rape, so some case reports are simply filed while others result in the man being charged with a crime. Such a response simply breaches the confidentiality of the victim and has other unintended negative consequences. Many service providers edit the questions they ask their clients so that they can avoid mandatory reporting. Others tell their clients not to divulge the age of their sexual partner, but such a warning can make young women afraid to confide in service providers. To shed light on this dilemma, the American Bar Association is doing research to identify the "best practice" adopted by communities seeking a more vigorous response to statutory rape laws, and lawmakers should wait for this report before taking action.     

Gender Norms and Age-Disparate Sexual Relationships as Predictors of Intimate Partner Violence,Sexual Violence,and Risky Sex among Adolescent Gang Members

Unequal gender norms and age-disparate sexual relationships can lead to power imbalances and are also associated with intimate partner violence (IPV), sexual coercion and violence, and sexual risk behaviors. The present study examined these variables from both victim and perpetrator perspectives among adolescent gang members. Age-disparate sexual relationships were defined as sex partners 5 or more years older among female participants and 5 or more years younger among male participants. Participants were recruited from a mid-sized Midwestern city and completed a 60–90-min audio computer-assisted self-interview in a community-based setting. Participants in this study included 107 female gang members (68 % African-American, 19 % Latina; mean age, 17.6) and 169 male gang members (62 % African-American, 28 % Latino; mean age, 17.7). As hypothesized, endorsing unequal gender norms toward women was significantly related to IPV victimization among female participants and perpetration among male participants, and engagement in group sex in the past month among both female and male participants (ps?<?0.05). Additionally, unequal gender norms were significantly related to male participants’ perpetrating rape (p?<?0.05). As hypothesized, female gang members who had been in age-disparate sexual relationships were significantly more likely to have experienced more IPV and report being raped and males gang members who had age-disparate sexual relationships were significantly more likely to perpetrate IPV in the past year and perpetrate rape (ps?<?0.05). Age-disparate sexual relationships were also significantly related to being gang raped among female gang members and participating in a gang rape among male gang members, and engaging in group sex among both female and male gang members (ps?<?0.05). Female participants who had been in age-disparate sexual relationships were more likely to have been pregnant (ps?<?0.05). It is essential for researchers and public health practitioners to create programs for female adolescents to reduce or avoid risky situations, such as inability to negotiate condom use with older sex partners. Additionally, programs must be developed for both female and male gang members to help them understand and identify unequal gender norms, and interpersonal and sexual coercion/violence. Early intervention will also be necessary as these adolescent gang members are already engaged in extremely high-risk, coercive, and violent behaviors.