Does Distance Matter? Access to Family Planning Clinics and Adolescent Sexual Behaviors

The study examines the relationship between adolescent geographic access (distance, travel time, density) to Family Planning Clinics and adolescent sexual behaviors, including sexual initiation, number of partners and condom use. This cross-sectional study, conducted in 2005 in 10 California counties, utilized data from NICHD-funded study on adolescent sexual behavior (n = 921), geospatial coordinates of publicly-funded FPCs, and neighborhood characteristics. A series of regression models were used to assess the relationship between FPC distance, and density (number of FPCs within 1- and 3- mile radii of each adolescent’s home), and adolescent sexual behaviors. Significant main effects between access measures of FPC and sexual behavior did not emerge. However, among older youth a significant inverse relationship emerged between number of FPCs within a 1-mile radius and initiating sexual intercourse. While not significant at α = .10, the results also indicate a negative relationship between density of FPCs and sexual partners (b = −.22, p < .15) among older youth. Access to FPCs was not associated with condom use. Conclusions: Results suggest that increased options for family planning services may lead to less risky sexual behaviors among older youth. This finding has significant implications with regards to making family planning resources more readily available to older adolescents.     

Psychosocial correlates of health compromising behaviors among adolescents

The objective of the present study was to examine psychosocial correlates of diverse health-compromising behaviors among adolescents of different ages. The study population included 123,132 adolescents in sixth, ninth and 12th grades. Psychosocial correlates of substance abuse, delinquency, suicide risk, sexual activity and unhealthy weight loss behaviors were examined. Risk-taking disposition was significantly associated with nearly every behavior across age and gender groups. Other consistent correlates included sexual abuse and family connectedness. Correlates of health-compromising behaviors tended to be consistent across age groups. However, stronger associations were noted between sexual abuse and substance use for younger adolescents, and risk-taking disposition and school achievement were stronger correlates for older youth. The results suggest the presence of both common and unique etiological factors for different health-compromising behaviors among youth. The results emphasize the importance of focusing on positive 'risk-taking' experiences for youth in prevention programs; being sensitive to possible sexual abuse experiences among both female and male adolescents in health-care consultations; integrating strategies for improved family connectedness into health promotion efforts; and making school relevant for all adolescents.     

Correlates of Sexual Risk Behaviors Among High School Students in Colorado: Analysis and Implications for School-based HIV/AIDS Programs

Objectives of this study are to examine correlates of antecedent sexual risk exposures associated with HIV/AIDS infection among adolescents participating in the 2005 Colorado Youth Behavioral Risk Survey (CYBRS), and to determine gender differences associated with these exposures since previous studies have produced mixed findings. Variables assessing these relationships were drawn from CYBRS, 2005. We used χ² to assess bivariate relationships and multinomial logistic regression to evaluate associations among dependent variables (sexual risk behaviors, age at first sex, and number of sexual partners in the past 3 months) and independent variables (in-school HIV/AIDS education, use of illegal substances, physically forced sex, and alcohol use). We found no significant effect of having received in-school HIV/AIDS education on all outcome measures. Compared with females, males were more likely to initiate sex at a relatively younger age, report unprotected sex with multiple partners, and drink alcohol before sexual intercourse. Among females, using 2 illegal substances increased the odds of early sexual debut by 12 times, while using ≥3 substances increased the same odds to 44-fold. Likewise, binge drinking was also associated with higher odds of having multiple partners. Hispanic ethnicity and physically forced sex variables were consistently associated with high risk sexual behaviors, early sexual initiation, and increased number of sexual partners. Efforts to control the HIV/AIDS epidemic among adolescents may need to focus on targeted interventions aimed at addressing gender- and racial/ethnic-specific risk exposures among this population group, including risk behaviors linked with lifetime physically forced sex. The need to re-examine the role of in-school HIV prevention programs to build adequate competencies among students, parents and community leaders to reduce risk exposures associated with HIV/AIDS infection among youth is emphasized.     

Neighborhood context and sexual behaviors among adolescents: findings from the national longitudinal study of adolescent health

CONTEXT: Adolescent sexual behaviors are a significant public health concern because of the risks of STDs and the negative social consequences of teenage pregnancies. Associations between neighborhood characteristics and adolescents' initiation of sex and contraceptive use are poorly understood. METHODS: Multilevel logistic regression analyses of data from 14,151 adolescents in grades 7-12 in Wave 1 of the National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent Health examined the relationships between four neighborhood dimensions (socioeconomic characteristics, norms and opportunity structure, social disorganization, and racial and ethnic composition) and the initiation of sex and contraceptive use at first and most recent sex. Individual- and household-level covariates were family income, parental education, race and ethnicity, age and family structure. Multivariate analyses were stratified by gender. RESULTS: All four dimensions of neighborhood context were independently associated with sexual initiation. For females, living in a neighborhood with a greater concentration of youth who were idle or black residents was associated with increased odds of sexual initiation, whereas a greater concentration of married households or Hispanic residents was associated with decreased odds of initiation. Higher initiation among males was associated with a higher concentration of poverty or idle youth, while lower initiation was found with a higher concentration of affluent households or working women. The sole association with contraceptive use was that females in neighborhoods with more idle youth had a reduced likelihood of having used contraceptives at first sex. CONCLUSIONS: Neighborhood context appears to be modestly associated with the sexual initiation of adolescents. However, little support was found for neighborhood influence on contraceptive use, suggesting that other factors may play a more important role in shaping adolescents' contraceptive behaviors.     

Friends' influence on adolescents' first sexual intercourse

CONTEXT: Social-psychological theories of health behavior suggest that adolescents' sexual behaviors are influenced by the sexual attitudes and behaviors of their friends. METHODS: Data on 2,436 participants in the National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent Health (Add Health) who were sexually inexperienced at Wave 1 (1994-1995) were analyzed to examine whether friend-related variables predicted initiation of vaginal intercourse by Wave 2 (1996). Analyses also assessed whether predictive relationships varied by level of involvement with friends. Odds ratios were generated by logistic regression analysis. RESULTS: In the 9-18 months between Waves 1 and 2, 18% of participants initiated intercourse. In analyses controlling for gender, family structure and romantic relationships, the higher the proportion of a youth's friends who were sexually experienced, the greater the odds of sexual debut (odds ratio, 1.01); the odds also were elevated among youth who believed that they would gain their friends' respect by having sex (1.2). Relationships between friend variables and sexual initiation did not vary by level of involvement with friends. CONCLUSIONS: To maximize the likelihood of success, programs focused on delaying teenage sexual intercourse should address norms for sexual behavior among adolescents' close friends as well as the perceptions, skills and behaviors of individual youth.     

Patterns of initiation of sex and drug-related activities among urban low-income African-American adolescents.

PURPOSE: To examine the pattern of adolescent's involvement in drug-related behaviors and sexual initiation, and its relationship with: (a) age and gender, (b) sensation- seeking, (c) perceptions of peer and family risk involvement, and (d) involvement in high-risk sexual behavior. SUBJECTS: Two hundred and sixty-one urban African-American youth, aged 9 to 15 years at baseline, who were sexually experienced by the end of the 4-year study interval. The longitudinal assessment (4 years) was focused on: (a) alcohol use, illicit drug use, and drug trafficking; (b) high-risk sex; (c) propensity to sensation seeking; and (d) perceived peer and family risk involvement. RESULTS: Involvement increased over the 4-year study interval such that over half of the adolescents reported use of alcohol and/or use of marijuana in the final assessment period. For each of the three drug-related activities examined, the largest proportion of youth who engaged in sexual intercourse never engaged in drug-related activity, and the next largest proportion initiated sexual involvement before drug use. Sensation-seeking scores, which were relatively stable across time, were lower among girls, and also were lower among youth who remained uninvolved in drug-related behaviors. For all three drug-related behaviors, rates of high-risk sex were higher among youth who initiated both sex and drugs, and were lower among youth who reported engaging only in sex. Although youth who did eventually initiate drug use had higher perceived levels of family and peer drug use compared to those who remained uninvolved, these perceptions did not contribute directly to high-risk sexual behavior. CONCLUSIONS: Youth who will become both sexually active and involved with drugs during adolescence are especially vulnerable to involvement in high-risk sexual behavior.     

Sexual Debut Among Heterosexual Men of African and Caribbean Descent: Are the Youth Initiating Sex Earlier than the Older Generation?

Although age at first sex is considered a measure of sexual risk and vulnerability for HIV infection, there is a dearth of literature on age at sexual debut in the Canadian context. This study examined time variations to first sex among heterosexual African, Caribbean, and Black (ACB) men in four Ontarian cities. A population-based retrospective survey (n?=?879) on timing to first sexual intercourse was conducted between 2018 and 2019 among self-identified heterosexual ACB men 16 years or older and residing in London, Ottawa, Toronto or Windsor. We used the lognormal survival analysis technique to examine variations in time to first sexual intercourse among age cohorts and between cities. The findings showed a generational shift in the pattern of sexual initiation, with younger heterosexual ACB men initiating sexual intercourse earlier compared with those currently older than 50 years. We observed those between 16 and 19 years, 20 and 29 years, and 30 and 39 years of age to have significantly higher risk ratios of TR?=?0.852, TR?=?0.869, and TR?=?0.855, respectively. At city level, the results show marked spatial variations, with youth in cities of Toronto, Ottawa, and London at the highest risk of early sexual debut relative to those in Windsor. Early initiation of first sexual intercourse among heterosexual ACB youth was observed with those in the larger cities being at a relatively higher risk. There is the need for programs aimed at delaying sexual debut among youth in general. It is, however, important to recognize the relative risk of those in the larger cities.

     

Early sexual initiation and subsequent sex-related risks among urban minority youth: the reach for health study.

CONTEXT: Since the 1980s, the age at which U.S. teenagers, especially minority youth, begin having sex has decreased. There is limited information on the relationship between early sexual initiation and subsequent risky sexual behaviors. METHODS: A sample of 1,287 urban minority adolescents completed three surveys in seventh and eighth grade, and 970 completed a follow-up in 10th grade. Logistic regression was used to test the effects of timing of initiation on 10th-grade sexual behaviors and risks, adjusting for gender, ethnicity and age. RESULTS: At baseline, 31% of males and 8% of females reported sexual initiation; by the 10th grade, these figures were 66% and 52%, respectively. Recent intercourse among males increased from 20% at baseline to 39% in eighth grade; 54% reported recent sex and 6% had made a partner pregnant by 10th grade. Among females, recent intercourse tripled from baseline to eighth grade (5% to 15%); 42% reported recent sex and 12% had been pregnant by grade 10. Early initiators had an increased likelihood of having had multiple sex partners, been involved in a pregnancy, forced a partner to have sex, had frequent intercourse and had sex while drunk or high. There were significant gender differences for all outcomes except frequency of intercourse and being drunk or high during sex. CONCLUSIONS: Minority adolescents who initiate sexual activity early engage in behaviors that place them at high risk for negative health outcomes. It is important to involve parents and schools in prevention efforts that address sexual initiation in early adolescence and that target youth who continue to place themselves and their partners at risk.     

Bacterial STDs and perceived risk among sexual minority young adults

CONTEXT: Most sexual health interventions focus on heterosexual sexual risk behavior. Health practitioners face a lack of information about the sexual health of sexual minority young adults (aged 18–26). METHODS: Three indicators of sexual minority status (identity, behavior and romantic attractions) were assessed in 10,986 young adults who participated in Wave 3 of the National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent Health (2001–2002). Logistic regression analyses examined associations between these indicators and individuals’ perceived risk for STDs and actual infection with STDs. Data from the 1,154 respondents who had current or recent bacterial STDs were investigated further to determine whether they had underestimated their risk. RESULTS: Outcomes varied by sexual minority status indicator and by sex. Bisexual females had significantly higher odds of STDs than heterosexual females (odds ratios, 1.4), and females attracted to both sexes had significantly higher odds of STDs than females attracted only to males (1.8). In contrast, none of the sexual minority status indicators predicted STDs for males. Among respondents who had an STD, females who reported only same‐sex sexual relationships were more likely to believe they were at very low risk for STDs than were females reporting only opposite‐sex sexual relationships (17.2); homosexual females had a higher likelihood of this outcome than heterosexual females (19.7). CONCLUSIONS: Health practitioners need to assist sexual minority young adults, particularly females, in under‐standing their risk for STDs and in taking safer‐sex precautions.     

Influence of prior sexual risk experience on response to intervention targeting multiple risk behaviors among adolescents

PurposeTo identify correlates of sexual risk variations among African-American adolescents, and to examine the influence of prior sexual experience on response to a HIV risk-reduction intervention.MethodsEight hundred seventeen African-American youth aged 13 to 16 years living in and around urban public housing in Baltimore were recruited to participate in a HIV risk-reduction intervention targeting multiple risk behaviors. An instrument designed to measure three levels of sexual risk (“abstinent,” “protected sex” [having sex with a condom], and “unprotected sex” [having sex without a condom]) was administered at baseline, 6 months and 12 months postintervention. Multiple regression analyses were conducted to identify predictors of the degree of sexual risk using longitudinal data. Repeated measure analyses were conducted to assess behavioral changes over time among the three groups.ResultsData confirmed the co-variation of sexual risk behavior and other problem behaviors among adolescents, cross-sectionally and longitudinally. After exposure to an 8-session risk-reduction intervention, youth engaging in the highest degree of sexual risk demonstrated the greatest reduction in both sexual risk and other risks. These improvements were seen at both 6 months and 12 months postintervention. Youth who were abstinent at baseline maintained the lowest levels in risk involvement throughout the study period when compared with sexually active youth. However, abstinent youth risk involvement significantly increased at 6 months and 12 months after baseline. Youth engaging in protected sex at baseline demonstrated a significant increase in non-condom use and a significant decrease in multiple risk involvement over time.ConclusionsResults support HIV risk-reduction intervention efforts that target multiple risk behaviors. Response of adolescents to the intervention is directly related to the sexual risk behavior at baseline. These data may suggest that the response to risk behavior intervention depends in part on the risk behavior profile of the population to which it is being applied.     

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.     

An examination of smoking initiation rates by age: results from a large longitudinal study in New Zealand

Objective: Investigations of smoking initiation often focus on the experiences of children and youth. However, prevalence data from the Tobacco Use Surveys (TUS) and the New Zealand (NZ) census suggest substantial uptake of smoking occurs after 15 years of age, including among young adults aged 18–24 years. Identifying initiation rates is difficult using cross‐sectional prevalence data, particularly among older age groups, which are subject to cohort effects and where quitting and premature mortality reduce prevalence. We aimed to identify initiation rates using a prospective study design. Methods: The SoFIE‐Health longitudinal survey included 15,095 subjects aged 15 years or older who responded in the three years that include the health module: 2004/05, 2006/07 and 2008/09. We calculated the proportion of ‘never smokers’ who became regular smokers (initiation) by age at baseline. Results: Initiation between 2004/05 and 2008/09 was 14.2% for 15–17 year olds, 7.0% for 18–19 years, 3.1% for 20–24 years and 1.4% for 25–34 years, with low levels of initiation (<1.0%) among older age groups. Conclusions: There were strong age‐related gradients in smoking initiation. Substantial initiation occurs among older youth and young adults, but is rare after age 24. Implications: Efforts to prevent initiation of smoking should focus not only on adolescents but also on older youth and young adults.     

The effectiveness of the Reach for Health Community Youth Service learning program in reducing early and unprotected sex among urban middle school students.

OBJECTIVES: This study evaluated the effectiveness of a community youth service (CYS) program in reducing sexual risk behaviors among African American and Latino urban young adolescents. METHODS: A total of 1061 students at 2 urban middle schools were surveyed at baseline and 6-month follow-up. Students at one school were randomly assigned by classroom to receive either the Reach for Health CYS program or the Reach for Health classroom curriculum only. Students at the other school served as controls. RESULTS: At follow-up. CYS participants reported significantly less recent sexual activity (P < .05) and scored lower on a sexual activity index than those in the control condition (P < .03). The greatest effect was among eighth graders, who received the most intensive service program (P < .03). The benefit of the curriculum-only intervention appeared greatest among students in special education classes. CONCLUSIONS: Well-organized CYS that couples community involvement with classroom health instruction can have a positive impact on the sexual behaviors of young adolescents at risk for HIV, sexually transmitted diseases, and unintended pregnancy. This study also suggests the importance of including students in special education classes in health education programs.     

Trends in Sexual Risk Behaviors,by Nonsexual Risk Behavior Involvement,U.S. High School Students, 1991–2007

BackgroundAdolescent health risk behaviors often occur together, suggesting that youth involvement with one risk behavior may inform understanding of other risk behaviors. We examined the association between involvement in nonsexual risk behaviors and trends among sexual behaviors.MethodsWe analyzed 1991–2007 data (n = ～125,000) from the Youth Risk Behavior Survey, a nationally representative survey of high school students in the United States. We categorized students into groups based on lifetime (Lifetime Risk Scale) and recent involvement (Recent Risk Scale) in nonsexual risk behaviors, such as smoking and drug use. We examined each group's prevalence of and trends for four sexual behaviors: ever having had sexual intercourse, having four or more lifetime partners, current sexual activity, and use of contraception at last sex. Data were examined for linear and quadratic (U-shaped) change using logistic regression.ResultsSexual behaviors varied considerably between youth engaged in no risk behaviors and those in the highest risk behavior groups: sevenfold for ever having had intercourse (13% vs. 87% in 2007) and threefold for four or more lifetime sexual partners (19% vs. 57%). Despite these differences, trends in sexual risk behaviors among youth engaged in multiple nonsexual risk behaviors and those engaged in few or no risk behaviors were remarkably similar. In contrast, sexual behaviors demonstrated a very different pattern of change from that found or nonsexual behaviors: sexual experience and having multiple sexual partners declined into the early 2000s and then increased, whereas nonsexual behaviors increased over time, peaked in the late 1990s, and then declined.ConclusionsYouth who engaged in little risk taking and those who engaged in considerable risk taking showed similar trends over time. However, the pattern of changes in sexual and nonsexual risk behaviors were remarkably different, raising questions about the potential impact of interventions that would reduce sexual risk taking by reducing nonsexual risk behaviors. Recent increases in sexual risk behaviors may have ominous implications for prevention of unplanned pregnancy and sexually transmitted infections among youth.     

Prevalence of partner violence in same-sex romantic and sexual relationships in a national sample of adolescents.

PURPOSE: To present the first national prevalence estimates of psychological and physical intimate partner violence between adolescents in same-sex relationships. METHODS: Analyses focus on 117 adolescents aged 12-21 years (50% female) from Wave II of the National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent Health who reported exclusively same-sex romantic or sexual relationships in the 18 months before interview. Items from the Conflict Tactics Scale were used to measure partner violence victimization. Data analysis included computation of prevalence estimates and a logistic regression analysis to assess associations between sociodemographic characteristics and violence victimization. RESULTS: Almost one-quarter of adolescents with same-sex romantic or sexual partners reported some type of partner violence victimization; about 1 in 10 reported physical victimization. Significant sex differences were found (OR = .29, CI = 0.08, 1.00), with males being less likely than females to report "any violence." Of six other sociodemographic characteristics examined, importance of religion (OR = .27, CI = 0.07-1.07) and school size (OR = .32, CI = 0.09-1.11) were associated with victimization at the p < .10 level. Adolescents who reported that religion was important to them and adolescents who attended larger schools were at lower risk of "any violence." CONCLUSIONS: As with opposite-sex relationships, psychological and minor physical violence victimization is common among adolescents involved in same-sex intimate relationships. Males reporting exclusively same-sex relationships were less likely than females to report experiencing the violence behaviors examined.     

Teenage pregnancy and associated risk behaviors among sexually abused adolescents

CONTEXT: Previous research suggests a link between adolescent pregnancy and sexual abuse history, but most studies have used clinical samples of females only and single measures of abuse. METHODS: Associations between pregnancy involvement, risk behaviors and sexual abuse were examined in sexually experienced teenagers from the Minnesota Student Surveys of 1992 (N=29,187) and 1998 (N=25,002). Chi-square tests assessed differences in pregnancy involvement and related risk behaviors among four groups of adolescents, categorized by type of abuse experienced: none, incest only, nonfamilial only or both. Odds ratios for pregnancy involvement and risk behaviors, adjusted for grade level and race, were calculated for each gender by using logistic regression analysis. RESULTS: Sexual abuse was reported by 6% of males and 27% of females in 1992, and by 9% and 22% in 1998. Reports of pregnancy involvement were significantly more common among abused adolescents (13-26% of females and 22-61% of males, depending on type of abuse) than among nonabused adolescents (8-10%). Abused adolescents were more likely than others to report risk behaviors, and teenagers reporting both abuse types had the highest odds of pregnancy involvement and risk behaviors. The differential in the odds of pregnancy involvement and most behaviors was larger between nonabused and abused males than between nonabused and abused females. CONCLUSIONS: Teenage pregnancy risk is strongly linked to sexual abuse, especially for males and those who have experienced both incest and nonfamilial abuse. To further reduce the U.S. teenage pregnancy rate, the pregnancy prevention needs of these groups must be adequately addressed.     

Adolescent overweight, social relationships and the transition to first sex: gender and racial variations

CONTEXT: Being overweight influences adolescents’ relationships by increasing their likelihood of experiencing social alienation and discrimination. Its role in sexual development is relatively understudied, as are potential mechanisms through which weight may influence early sexual activity. METHODS: Data from the National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent Health were used in discrete‐time event history analyses investigating the association between body weight, social relationships and timing of sexual debut among 8,197 respondents who were in grades 7–12 in 1994–1995 (Wave 1) and were young adults in 2001–2002 (Wave 3). Subgroup analyses explored gender and racial and ethnic variations in the association. RESULTS: Overweight adolescents were less likely than their normal‐weight peers to report first intercourse between Waves 1 and 3 (odds ratio, 0.9). Characteristics reflecting social alienation, including having relatively few close friends and no experience with romantic relationships, were negatively associated with first intercourse among overweight youths. Results differed by gender and race and ethnicity. Overweight females had a lower likelihood than normal‐weight females of experiencing first intercourse (0.8), but no such association was evident among males. Similarly, overweight white youths—but not those from other racial and ethnic groups—had reduced odds of sexual debut (0.7). CONCLUSIONS: Future studies should seek to understand the broader implications of adolescent weight status for social relationships and subsequent development, and practitioners should apply this knowledge to prevention programs. Postponement of sexual activity may benefit youths, but potential benefits and risks may depend upon the social processes involved.     

Concurrent multiple health risk behaviors among adolescents in Luangnamtha province, Lao PDR

Background  

Multiple health risk behaviors (HRBs) among adolescents pose a threat to their health, including HIV/AIDS. Health risk behaviors such as alcohol use, smoking, substance use, and sexual risk behaviors among youth have been shown to co-occur with each others. The objectives of this study was to estimate the prevalence of single and concurrent health risk behaviors and to explore how health risk behavior is associated with socio-demographic factors and peers' behaviors.     

Partner age differences, educational contexts and adolescent female sexual activity

CONTEXT: Research suggesting that female teenagers who date substantially older males are at increased risk for negative health outcomes supports the need for statutory rape laws. However, prior research has generally ignored the social context of adolescence when examining the risks associated with dating an older partner. METHODS: Data from Waves 1 (1995) and 2 (1996) of the National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent Health were used to model the occurrence of sexual intercourse within adolescent heterosexual romantic relationships. Logistic regression analyses were used to examine the predictors of sexual intercourse among 4,266 romantically involved female students aged 12–18. RESULTS: Female students with male partners three or more years their senior had higher odds of engaging in sexual intercourse than female students with partners closer to their age (odds ratio, 1.5). However, the association between having an older partner and the risk of sexual intercourse was nonsignificant for females older than 16. Moreover, when male partners’ school status was taken into account, the relationship was no longer significant. Female students with partners who had exited school had elevated odds of having had intercourse compared with females who dated partners in the same school (1.8). CONCLUSIONS: These findings challenge statutory rape laws’ focus on age, given that the association between educational context and sexual risk overrides the association between partner age and sexual risk.     

Youth assets and sexual risk behavior: the importance of assets for youth residing in one-parent households

CONTEXT: Youth assets are associated with a reduction in sexual risk behavior; however, little is known about this association among youth at high risk of engaging in unsafe behavior, such as those in one-parent households. METHODS: In-home interviews were used to collect data from 1,253 inner-city teenagers and their parents. Multivariate logistic regressions were conducted separately for youth from one- and two-parent households to assess relationships between youth assets and four behaviors related to sexual risk: never having had sexual intercourse, not being currently sexually active, having delayed intercourse until age 17, and having used birth control at last intercourse. RESULTS: Among youth living in one-parent households, those with the aspirations for the future, good health practices (exercise/nutrition), peer role models and family communication assets had significantly elevated odds of reporting one of the behaviors examined (odds ratios, 1.8-7.3). The peer role models asset also interacted with parental education to significantly predict an absence of current sexual activity for youth in one-parent households (21.2). Among youth living in two-parent households, community involvement was linked to increased odds of never having had sex (1.9), but no other significant relationships were found. Youths' total number of assets significantly predicted three of the four behaviors among youth in one-parent households (1.2-1.8), but predicted only sexual inexperience among those in two-parent households (1.4). CONCLUSION: Future research should more fully investigate the role of family structure in relationships between youth assets and risk behaviors. Certain youth assets may be particularly effective in reducing sexual risk behavior among youth in one-parent households.