Physical Activity Patterns and Sexual Risk Factors Among Juvenile Detainees

Abstract

PURPOSE: To explore physical activity and sexual behavior among juvenile detainees. METHODS: Recently admitted detainees were recruited for study participation from April 2002 to March 2003. Females and Whites were over-sampled. A questionnaire was read aloud to groups of 2 to 5 detainees, who recorded their responses on a printed survey. Approximately 15% of detainees declined to participate. Of the 640 completed questionnaires, 606 were included in this analysis (168 females and 43 8 males). Excluded from analysis were those with an ethnicity other than Black or White and youth that had been detained longer than two weeks prior to survey administration. The survey measured demographics, participation in physical activity during the seven days prior to detention, and sexual risk taking behavior. Odds ratio and logistic regression were used in the statistical analysis. RESULTS: Among detained youth, 59 % reported engaging in sufficient vigorous activity, 33 % sufficient moderate physical activity, and 14 % no vigorous or moderate physical activity. Controlling for age, gender, and ethnicity, younger detainees were more likely to report vigorous physical activity. Youth who reported participating in vigorous physical activity were more likely to be male (aOR = 2.53; 95% CI = 1.75; 3.65). Youth who reported participating in moderate physical activity were more likely to be White (aOR = 1.86, 95% CI = 1.31; 2.64). Youth who reported no vigorous or moderate physical activity were more likely to be female (aOR = 2.22; 95% CI = 1.37; 3.60) and more likely to be Black (aOR = 2.07; 95% CI = 1.22; 3.51). Among the 56% of currently sexually active detainees, 68% reported that either they or their partner had used a condom during last sexual intercourse. Patterns of physical activity were not associated with condom use during last sexual intercourse. Nearly half (54 %) of detained youth reported having sexual intercourse with five or more sexual partners during their lifetime. Reporting five or more sexual partners was not associated with physical activity patterns. CONCLUSION: Consistent with previous research with school-based youth, younger youth and males were more likely to report vigorous physical activity. Whites were more likely to report moderate physical activity. Females were more likely to engage in no moderate or vigorous physical activity. Among this sample of juvenile detainees, physical activity level was found to be unrelated to sexual risk taking behaviors, which is in contrast to studies that suggest physical activity is protective. For these detained youth, other factors may overshadow the role of physical activity in ameliorating sexual risk.