Abstract
The prevention of sexually transmitted infections (STIs) among adolescents is a major concern across the globe, in particular in the United States (U.S.), and A common indicator of risk in documented in the literature for STIs is substance use. Method: Participants were 2260 juvenile offenders in the state of Georgia. Significance tests were conducted using univariate logistic regressions to examine the independent associations of participant’s self-reported crack and powder cocaine use and dichotomized HIV risk behaviour correlates and history of having a prior STI before the most recent incarceration. Results: With respect to specific STI occurrence, participants who reported powder cocaine use were more likely to have reported having been told they had genital warts (OR=1.33, 95% CI=0.58-3.02), Chlamydia (OR=1.27, 95% CI=0.83-1.95), Syphilis (OR=1.33, 95% CI=0.58-3.02) and Trich (OR=1.39, 95% CI=0.82-2.38). Participants who reported past Crack use were three times more likely to having been told they had Syphilis prior (OR=3.39, 95% CI=0.49-23.41). Participants who reported using crack were three and two time to indicate that had been informed prior that they had Herpes (OR=3.04, 95% CI=0.44-2.1.16) and Trich (OR=2.32, 95% CI=0.73-7.41) accordingly. Conclusion: Even across racial/ethnic groups, gender, and geographic locations, several determinants of adolescents' sexual risk taking were identified. Of importance, is the need for STI risk reduction interventions to consider using more measures of overall reproductive health, especially for female juvenile offenders.
Highlights
The prevention of sexually transmitted infections (STIs) among adolescents is a major concern across the globe, in particular in the United States [1,2,3,4,5,6]
This study provided important data documenting the extent to which power and/or crack cocaine use place adolescents juvenile offenders at risk of sexually transmitted infections (STIs), including HIV
In particular based on the observation that little is available in the literature regarding cocaine use, its association with adolescent offenders sexual risk behaviors and practices
Summary
The prevention of sexually transmitted infections (STIs) among adolescents is a major concern across the globe, in particular in the United States [1,2,3,4,5,6]. Crack and cocaine use has been shown to be associated with co-occurring psychiatric disorders, unprotected sex and other drug use, as well as psychiatric disorders among adolescents [17]. Among adolescents, in particular juvenile offenders, cocaine use has been shown to be associated with co-occurring psychiatric disorders in some samples [19, 20]. The prevention of sexually transmitted infections (STIs) among adolescents is a major concern across the globe, in particular in the United States (U.S.), and A common indicator of risk in documented in the literature for STIs is substance use
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: 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.
