Abstract
Purpose: To establish self-reported rates and associated correlates of fathering pregnancies in urban teen males, and to explore the possibility of using their pregnancy history as a marker for other health-risk behaviors. Methods: A blinded, self-administered questionnaire was given to the predominantly African-American patients of an inner-city adolescent outpatient clinic. Urine was also collected in a blinded, anonymous fashion, matched to the questionnaires, and tested for five drugs of abuse. Males were classified as having or not having a pregnancy history (PH) according to a questionnaire response item. PH and non-PH participants were compared for eight risk factors using univariate and multivariate methods. Results: A total of 24.2% reported a PH. These males were about 14 times more likely to report three or more sex partners in the last year, more than five times as likely to report a sexually transmitted disease history, more than three times as likely to test positive for drugs, and more than 2.5 times as likely to be inconsistent or nonusers of condoms as compared to males without a pregnancy history. An association between violent behavior and PH is unsupported. Conclusions: Pregnancy history can be a valuable marker for other risk factors among inner-city African-American males. With some patients, it may be easier for clinicians to discuss pregnancy history or fatherhood as opposed to drug abuse and other more sensitive risk factors. The topic can then be used as a gateway for discussion of other risk factors.
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Disclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.