Predictors Of Risky Sexual Behavior Research Articles

Substance Abuse and Predictors of Risky Sexual Behavior among Students in Axum University, Ethiopia

Introduction: Even though sexual activity has been claimed to produce health benefits, worldwide sexual risk taking behavior accounts for large number of opportunities for sexually transmitted infection including human immunodeficiency virus and unintended pregnancy. This study is intended to describe magnitude of substance abuse and predictors of risky sexual behavior among students in Axum University. Methods: Institution based cross-sectional study design, multistage sampling technique and self administered questionnaire were used in March 2013 to collect data on 636 students (61.3% males). Descriptive statistics and binary logistic regression was employed to describe and identify factors associated, respectively. STATA version 11 software packages were used. Result: Response rate for the study was 96%. About 192(30.2%) participants ever had sexual intercourse. The median age at first sexual intercourse was 18 (IQR: 16-19) years. Students who abused any substance were 4 times [AOR=3.96; 95%CI: 1.927, 8.131] more likely practiced risky sexual behavior. Students who were watching pornography, not discussing about SRH with their parents, not visiting religious service place, not using university cafeteria, attending night club, being male and not having enough income for basic needs increase the likelihood practicing risky sexual behavior. Conclusion: Significant number of sexually active respondents in Axum University had usually practiced risky sexual behavior. Substance use and sexual intercourse were started at early schooling. Sex, pocket income, substance abused, religiosity, attending night clubs, watching pornography and mother education were found as predictors for risky sexual behavior. University and different stakeholder should work together to prevent and control risky sexual practices and to strengthen substance use control policies.

Assessment of Substance Use and Risky Sexual Behaviour Among Public College Students in Bonga Town, Southwest Ethiopia

Background: Substance use and problems arising from it are increasing all over the world, and currently together with HIV/AIDS epidemic, become one of the most threatening and challenging social and public health problems. College students are more vulnerable to wider sexual and reproductive health and HIV/AIDS problems due to new environment with poor protection, age and the need to explore life, peer pressure and absence of proactive programs. Objective: The main objective of this study was to assess the magnitude of risky sexual behavior and its association with substance use among Bonga town public college students. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among 396 Bonga town public college students from March 2014 to April 2014 using stratified sampling technique and a self-administered questionnaire was used. Descriptive statistics was used to describe the study population, prevalence, and to check the missing values, outliers, and inconsistencies. Logistic regressions to determine independent predictors of risky sexual behaviors and the p- value of 0.05 was used as cut off point for the presence of statistical significance. Results: Among 396 participants 72.7% reported having used at least one substance in their life time. Commonly used substances were: alcohol (51.3%) followed by khat (15.4%), cigarette (3.6%) and other illicit substances (2.5%). From total respondents 38.1% admitted having sexual experience. Among sexually experienced males 4.6% have had sexual intercourse with commercial sex workers and 4.6% had sexual intercourse with more than one person. Condom use rate was 64.9% but, its consistency was 58.3%. Sex, educational status, income and ever use of khat were statistically associated with risky sexual behavior with AOR (95%CI) of 4.5 (1.7, 12), 4.7 (1.6, 12.9), 3.7 (1.4, 10), 2.5 (1.1, 6.5) respectively. Conclusion: The prevalence of substance use among Bonga college students was high. The study also showed that many of the students who were sexually active engaged in unsafe and risky sexual practices. Awareness rising about safer sex and consequences of substance use for college students is necessary measure that should be taken.

Risky Sexual Behaviors for HIV Infection among Female Private College Students in Nekemte Town, Western Ethiopia

Background: HIV/AIDS risky behavior remains a critical health concern for young women for multiple biological and socio-economic reasons. Hence, the objective of the study was to assess the level of risky sexual behaviors and associated factors among female students in private colleges in Nekemte town, western Ethiopia. Methods: A cross-sectional study was carried out among female private college students in Nekemte town between April and May, 2014. A total of 422 female students in private colleges were randomly selected for the study. A self-administered questionnaire was used for data collection. The collected data were cleaned and analyzed using SPSS version 16. Bivariate and multivariable analyses were done to identify predictors of risky sexual behaviors. Results: One hundred fifty six (38.4%) of the non-married (N=406) respondents had practiced sexual intercourse. Of these, 115(73.7%) were sexually active in the last 12 months. Of the total respondents who were sexually active in the last 12 months including the married one (N=131), 38(29%) reported that they had sexual intercourse with two or more partners. Among non-married females who were sexually active in the last 12 months (N=115), only 34(29.6%) reported to have used condom at their last sexual intercourse. Urban residence (AOR=2.4, 95% CI =1.3, 4.5), income deficit (AOR= 2.8, 95 % CI=1.5, 4.0), Income source (AOR=2.5, 95% CI=2.0, 9.0) and pornographic film viewing (AOR=10.7, 95 % CI=5.1, 22.5) were significantly associated with premarital sex. Level of study (AOR =2.0, 95% CI=1.3, 3.2), marital status AOR=2.8, 95% CI 1.8, 6.6), Living arrangement (AOR= 3.295% CI=1.3, 4.5, and pornographic viewing (AOR=2.0, 95% CI=1.1, 4.3 were significantly associated with multiple sexual partners. Similarly, condom use in the last sexual intercourse among nonmarried female students was significantly associated with level of study (AOR= 0.2, 95 % CI= 0 .1-0.9), Knowledge of HIV prevention by consistent use of condoms (AOR=2.9, 95%CI 1.0-8.0), pornographic viewing AOR= 2.7, 95 % CI =1.0, 7.6) and alcohol drinking (AOR=5.2, 95 % CI 3.2, 7.3). Conclusion: This study indicated that large proportions of students were engaged in risky sexual behaviors. Hence, Encouraging continuation of virginity as a cultural norm among those who have not experienced sexual intercourse and awareness creation.

Family Environment and Sexual Behaviours in Jimma Zone, South West Ethiopia

Back ground: Youths have limited access to reproductive health services that focus on the special needs of adolescents and these youths are at high risk for risky sexual behaviors. Because of the complex nature of the problem, youth reproductive health strategies demand a multi-sector and integrated approach on risky sexual behavior. This paper examines how lack of parental monitoring and other factors affect youth’s sexual behavior. Objective: to assess family environment and associated factors on risky sexual behaviors among high school youths in Jimma zone, south west Ethiopia. Methods: A cross sectional study design was used in 5 randomly selected preparatory schools of Jimma zone. A total of 287 students were selected using simple random sampling technique based on proportional to the size of the number of students in each preparatory school. A structured, pretested and self administered questionnaire was used to collect data. Multiple logistic regressions were performed to identify the independent predictor of risk sexual behavior. Results: From sexually active students 81 (28.2%) students had sexual risk behavior and only 5[6.0%] students reported they used condom always. Sixty four [82.1] reported that they were willing the first time they had sex. 225[78.4%] of students were under high pressure from their peers. Students who had girl/boy friend were 5 times more likely to be at risk. Among students higher likelihood of risky sexual behavior significantly associated with higher levels of alcohol consumption, exposure to pornographic film and having girl/boy friend. But higher family connectedness associated with lower level of likelihood of risky sexual behavior. Conclusion and Recommendation: Alcohol consumption, watching pornographic movies and having girl/boy friend were the major predictors of risky sexual behaviors but from family environment family connection was a predictor variable as preventive factor for risky sexual behaviors. Therefore, interventions that emphasize different domains of the risk and preventive factors in an integrated manner may be the most effective strategies.

English

Risky sexual behavior increases the likelihood of adverse sexual and reproductive health consequences such as unwanted pregnancies, unsafe abortion, and sexually transmitted infections (STIs) including (HIV/AIDS). Adolescents in sub-Saharan Africa including Ethiopia are highly exposed to various risky sexual behaviors. The aim of this study was to determine the magnitude of risky sexual behaviors among Boditti Secondary and Preparatory School adolescents. A school based cross-sectional study was conducted from March 9 to April 27, 2013 among a random sample of 508 students in Boditti Secondary and Preparatory School, Boditti town, Wolayta zone, South Ethiopia. Of 508 students surveyed, 29.1% (148); 95% confidence interval (CI) [25.2, 33.3] were sexually active. About 20.5% (104); 95%CI [17.9, 24.2] and 8.7% (44), 95%CI [6.4, 11.5] of the students had committed sex with more than one sexual partner in their life time and in six months prior to the survey, respectively. Concerning the frequency of condom use, 69%; 95%CI [59.0, 77.9] used condom with casual friends inconsistently or never. Overall, 17.9% (91); 95%CI [14.7, 21.5] were engaged in risky sexual practice for HIV. Peer pressure and need of money were the major reasons cited to have influenced adolescents’ sexual activities. Student’s age, living arrangement, previous HIV test experience and grade level were independent predictors of risky sexual behavior. Significant numbers of students were engaged in risky sexual behavior. Strengthening sexual education to the target groups could help reduce the consequences of risky sexual behaviors.   Key words:  Magnitude, risky sexual behavior, high school, students.

Alcohol and drug abuse and risky sexual behaviours in young adult women

Objective: To assess alcohol abuse as a predictor of risky sexual behavior among adolescents and young adult women, a high-risk population for unintended pregnancies.Subjects: Totally 3163 adolescent and young adult women, 18–29 years, were assessed on sociodemographics, alcohol and drug use and risky sexual behaviors.Interventions: Participants answered a structured questionnaire on their leisure habits, drug and alcohol consumption, contraception and sexual behaviors.Results: Most of the young adult women perceive that sexuality is an important part of their life but not a main concern (77.6%) and that alcohol removes the barriers to have sex (62.3%). Additionally, 77.0% claimed that contraception had “a lot” (53.4%) and “quite” (23.6%) influence on the quality of their sexuality. However, up to a 38.4% of the interviewed women had had sex without using any contraception and 29.6% of them acknowledged that had taken alcohol and of these, 40.7% said that alcohol was responsible for not using contraception. Alcohol abuse predicted an increase in risky sexual behaviours (4.45 CI: 2.01–9.75, p < 0.0001). The effect of alcohol was independent of age.Conclusions: These findings suggest that contraception-related behavioural interventions for young adult women should discuss the link between alcohol and sexual risk behavior.

Risky Sexual Behaviors and Associated Factors among Male and Female Students in Jimma Zone Preparatory Schools, South West Ethiopia: Comparative Study

Youth engage in risk sexual behavior due to insufficient knowledge of reproductive health and family planning. Youth sexual behavior is important not only because of the possible reproductive outcomes, but also because of sexually transmitted infections. The level of risks and sexual behaviors are different between male and female youth due to sexual exposure and socio-cultural factors. The aim of this study was to compare risky sexual behaviors and associated factors among male and female preparatory school (grades 11 and 12) students in Jimma Zone. A comparative cross-sectional study was conducted in 5 randomly selected preparatory schools of Jimma Zone. A total of 520 students were selected using simple random sampling technique. A structured, pretested and self-administered questionnaire was used to collect data. Both descriptive analysis and binary logistic regressions were performed on the data to understand risky sexual behaviors among students. Twenty-two (25.9%) of male and 25(21.6%) of female students had two or more sexual partners in the last six months. Eighty-three (32.3%), 113(43.5%) male and female students were sexually at risk in the last six months. Only 8(9.4%) of the male and 10(8.6%) of the female students used condom consistently in the last six months. Female students living away from their parents were 3 times more likely to be at risk than students living with their parents (OR 95%CI 3.0(1.48-6.34)). Female students who consumed alcohol were 7 times more likely to be at risk than those who did not consume alcohol (OR 95%CI 7.27(3.36-15.7)). Male students who consumed alcohol were 2.8 times more likely to be at risk than those who did not consumed alcohol (OR 95%CI, 2.81(1.3-6.06)). Male students who chewed khat were 4.6 times more likely to be at risk than students who did not chew khat (OR 95%CI, 4.58(1.95-10.76). Living arrangement, educational status of parents, family connectedness, alcohol consumption and khat-chewing were the major predictors of risky sexual behavior. Therefore, School, family and zonal education office should be involved in reducing the risky sexual behavior of school youth.

Sexual Risk Behavior in Young Adulthood: Broadening the Scope Beyond Early Sexual Initiation

A robust link between early sexual initiation and sexual risk-taking behavior is reported in previous studies. The relationship may not be causal, however, as the effect of common risk factors is often not considered. The current study examined whether early initiation was a key predictor of risky sexual behavior in the 20s and 30s, over and above co-occurring individual and environmental factors. Data were drawn from the Seattle Social Development Project, a longitudinal panel of 808 youth. Early predictors (ages 10 to 15) and sexual risk taking (ages 21 to 24 and 30 to 33) were assessed prospectively. Early sexual initiation (before age 15) was entered into a series of probit regressions that also included family, neighborhood, peer, and individual risk factors. Although a positive bivariate relation between early sexual initiation and sexual risk taking was observed at both ages, the link did not persist when co-occurring risk factors were included. Behavioral disinhibition and antisocial peer influences emerged as the strongest predictors of sexual risk over and above early sexual initiation. These results suggest that early sexual initiation must be considered in the context of common antecedents; public health policy aimed at delaying sexual intercourse alone is unlikely to substantially reduce sexual risk behavior in young adulthood.

Living with parents and risky sexual behaviors among preparatory school students in Jimma zone, South west Ethiopia

Risky sexual behavior is any behavior that increases the probability of negative consequences associated with sexual contact. Family environment, peer influence, community factors and school attachment seem an important factor affecting sexual risk behavior and decision of in-school youths. To assess sexual risk behaviors and associated factors among students living with parents in Jimma zone preparatory schools. A cross sectional study designs both qualitative and quantitative approaches was conducted in 5 randomly selected preparatory schools. A total of 273 students were randomly selected. Multiple logistic regressions were performed to identify the independent predictor of risk sexual behavior. One hundred fiten (42.1%) students had sexual risk behavior. Thirty six (30.8%) student's reports they had two or more sexual partners in their lifetime. Out of 117 students, 13 (11.2%) students used condom always. One hundred one (37%) students were consumed alcohol. Higher likelihood of risky sexual behavior significantly associated with higher levels of alcohol consumption and low frequency of religious visit. Alcohol consumption and religious visit were the major predictors of risky sexual behaviors. Therefore, Behavior change communication should consider family environment and other factors which predict risk sexual behaviors.

Maternal and Paternal Psychological Control as Moderators of the Link between Peer Attitudes and Adolescents' Risky Sexual Behavior.

Maternal and paternal psychological control, peer attitudes, and the interaction of psychological control and peer attitudes at age 13 were examined as predictors of risky sexual behavior before age 16 in a community sample of 181 youth followed from age 13 to 16. Maternal psychological control moderated the link between peer attitudes and sexual behavior. Peer acceptance of early sex predicted greater risky sexual behaviors, but only for teens whose mothers engaged in high levels of psychological control. Paternal psychological control demonstrated the same moderating effect for girls; for boys, however, high levels of paternal control predicted risky sex regardless of peer attitudes. Results are consistent with the theory that peer influences do not replace parental influences with regard to adolescent sexual behavior; rather, parental practices continue to serve an important role either directly forecasting sexual behavior or moderating the link between peer attitudes and sexual behavior.

HIV Information and Behavioral Skills Moderate the Effects of Relationship Type and Substance Use on HIV Risk Behaviors Among African American Youth

The HIV/AIDS epidemic is disproportionately impacting young African Americans. Efforts to understand and address risk factors for unprotected sex in this population are critical in improving prevention efforts. Situational risk factors, such as relationship type and substance use before sex, are in need of further study. This study explored how established cognitive predictors of risky sexual behavior moderated the association between situational factors and unprotected sex among low-income, African American adolescents. The largest main effect on the number of unprotected sex acts was classifying the relationship as serious (event rate ratio=10.18); other significant main effects were alcohol use before sex, participant age, behavioral skills, and level of motivation. HIV information moderated the effect of partner age difference, motivation moderated the effects of partner age difference and drug use before sex, and behavioral skills moderated the effects of alcohol and drug use before sex. This novel, partnership-level approach provides insight into the complex interactions of situational and cognitive factors in sexual risk taking.

ATTACHMENT STYLE AS A PREDICTOR OF RISKY SEXUAL BEHAVIOR IN ADOLESCENTS

ABSTRACTThe aim of the current study was to examine attachment style as a predictor of risky sexual behavior in a younger, more vulnerable sample than previously investigated in the literature: High school aged adolescents. The hypothesized associations among the variables were partially supported. Contrary to our predictions, there was no significant association between avoidance and risky sexual behavior. However, higher anxiety was positively associated with risky sexual behavior. Finally, the prediction that the highest levels of risky sexual behavior would be found for those individuals with higher levels of anxiety and higher levels of avoidance (i.e., insecure attachment style) was supported.Keywords: Risky Sexual Behavior, Attachment Style, Adolescents1. INTRODUCTIONDeveloped by Bowlby (1982; 1983), attachment theory asserts that individuals from internal working models, or mental representations of self and other, which impact their feelings about and behavior in, relationships. Models of self can be either positive (i.e., one feels worthy of love and care) or negative (i.e., one feels unworthy of love and care) and models of other can be either positive (i.e., one feels others are available and responsive) or negative (i.e., one feels others are distant or rejecting) (Batholomew, 1990). A secure attachment style is characterized by possessing both positive models of self and of other. In contrast, insecure attachment styles are categorized as anxious or avoidant. An anxious attachment style is characterized by a negative model of self, while an avoidant attachment style is characterized as a negative model of other (Feeney and Noller, 1996). Although attachment was initially studied in the context of parent-child relationships, Bowlby (1982) contended that subsequent interactions with other relationship partners could potentially update one's working models. In subsequent research, attachment was studied in other types of relationships (e.g., with peers and romantic partners) and these studies found that models of self and other can vary across different types of relationships (Collins and Read, 1994; Guardia et al., 2000).One of the primary differences between romantic relationship attachment and other types of attachment relationships (e.g., peers, parents) is that romantic relationships include the integration of sexual behavior (Bowlby, 1982; 1983; Shaver et al, 1988). Indeed, studies have shown that couples report a reciprocal relationship between attachment and their sexual relationships (Feeney, 1999; Sprecher and Cate, 2004). A series of reviews by Feeney (1999) and Feeney and Noller (2004) indicate that attachment styles influence how adults interpret many aspects of their romantic relationships, including their sexual attitudes and beliefs and several studies have focused on the association between romantic relationship attachment and sexual behavior (Bogaert and Sadava, 2002; Gentzler and Kerns, 2004; Strachman and Impett, 2009).In a study of college undergraduates, Strachman and Impett (2009) examined how attachment style (i.e., avoidance or anxiety) was associated with condom use across a period of 14 days. Attachment style was measured using the Experiences in Close Relationships Scale (Brennan et al, 1998), which is a 36 item self-report measure of attachment style which yields scores for anxiety and avoidance, with low scores on both indicating a secure attachment style. During the two week period, participants were asked to keep a diary of their sexual contact and indicate if a condom was used during intercourse. The study found that participants with an anxious attachment style were less likely to use condoms. The association between attachment style and condom use remained significant when controlling for other related variables such as gender, alternative birth control use, sex frequency and knowledge of a partner's sexual history.In a similar study, Gentzler and Kerns (2004) examined the association between attachment style and sexual behaviors in college students. …

Risky Sexual Behaviour among Big Construction Enterprise Workers; Bahir Dar City, Amhara Regional State, Northwest Ethiopia

Background: Risky sexual behaviors are the major factors in rising sexually transmitted infections among adolescents and young adults. In Ethiopia construction industry is on increasing and deriving young people from rural area to the cities. Therefore, the aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of risky sexual behaviour and factors associated with among construction workers. Methods: A cross sectional study was conducted in March 2012 among construction workers in Bahir Dar city. The analysis was carried out using SPSS version 16. The data were analyzed in bivariate and multivariate logistic regression. Result: The prevalence of risky sexual behavior among construction workers was 44.9%. Female workers were about four times more likely to have had risky sexual practices than males (AOR = 3.86, 95% CI: 2.34 - 6.37). Respondents whose educational level less than fourth grade were 12 times more likely to be engaged in risky sex than whose educational level tenth grade or more (AOR = 12.13, 95% CI: 1.84 - 79.78). Divorced individuals were about five times more likely to have had risky sexual activities than married individuals (AOR = 4.63, 95% CI: 1.32 - 16.12). Respondents whose first sexual commencement from 15 - 19 years were about three times more likely to have had risky sexual behavior than from 20 - 24 years (AOR = 2.89, 95% CI: 1.70 - 4.91). Besides, the odds of having risky sexual behaviour among construction workers who had sexual partner at the time of the study were about 0.6 times less likely to have had risky sexual behaviours than workers who did not have (AOR = 0.6, 95% CI: 0.38, 0.96). Conclusion: The prevalence of risky sexual behavior among construction workers was 44.9%. Variables such as sex, educational level, marital status, age at first sexual intercourse, presence of current sexual partner and casual sex were found to be independent predictors of risky sexual behaviour. Therefore, interventions targeting on these factors were recommended.

Forced Intercourse, Individual and Family Context, and Risky Sexual Behavior Among Adolescent Girls

This study tested the hypothesis that individual and family factors associated with adolescent risky sexual behavior (RSB) operate differently in their relationship to RSB among girls who have experienced forced sexual intercourse (FSI), as compared to those girls who have not. Data were collected from 3,863 eighth-grade girls from a larger statewide sample. Different subgroups of participants received different sets of questions, so 655-2,548 students were included in each analysis. Multilevel modeling was used to examine relationships of individual (social negotiation skills, personal safety, depression, and sensation-seeking personality) and family factors (sibling deviance, parental monitoring, and quality of family relationships) to RSB. FSI was examined as a predictor of RSB and as a moderator of the relationship between individual and family variables and sexual risk. In the case of individual predictors, social negotiation skills were associated with lower RSB for all girls, but these skills had a stronger relationship to RSB among girls who had experienced FSI. Depression and sensation-seeking tendencies had small positive relationships to RSB for all girls. In the case of family predictors, for girls without a history of FSI, parental monitoring was associated with lower RSB. However, among girls who had experienced FSI, parental monitoring was not significantly related to RSB, but sibling deviance was associated with lower RSB. Results suggest that social negotiation skills and parental monitoring may warrant further attention in research and intervention.

The impact of depressive symptomatology on risky sexual behavior and sexual communication among African American female adolescents

Adolescents, particularly African American adolescents, are at high risk for sexually transmitted infections (STIs). The association between psychosocial factors and risky sexual behavior has been well established. However, only a small number of studies have examined the relationship between depressive symptomatology among African American female adolescents, specifically over time. The present study examined depressive symptoms as a predictor of risky sexual behavior, sexual communication, and STIs longitudinally among African American female adolescents between the ages 15 and 21. Binary generalized estimating equation models were conducted assessing the impact of depressive symptoms at baseline on risky sexual behavior and STIs over six- and 12-months follow-up. Age, intervention group, and baseline outcome measures were entered as covariates. The results indicated that high levels of depressive symptoms predicted no condom use during last sexual encounter and multiple sexual partners over six-months follow-up. Depressive symptoms also predicted having a main partner with concurrent partners, high fear of communication about condoms, and sex while high on alcohol or drugs over six- and 12-months follow-up. These findings could be used to inform HIV/STI prevention intervention programs and clinicians providing regular health care maintenance to African American female adolescents engaging in risky sexual behavior.

Longitudinal Examination of Alcohol Use: A Predictor of Risky Sexual Behavior and Trichomonas vaginalis Among African-American Female Adolescents

Alcohol use has been linked to risky sexual practices among adolescents. However, limited research on alcohol use and risky sexual behavior has been conducted on African-American female adolescents. This study examined high quantity of alcohol as a longitudinal predictor of risky sexual behavior and sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) among African-American female adolescents, a high-risk population for STDs. Three hundred ninety-three adolescent females, 15 to 21 years, were assessed on sociodemographics, alcohol use, and risky sexual behaviors. Participants also provided 2 swab specimens that were assayed for STDs. High quantity of alcohol use was defined as ≥ 3 drinks in 1 sitting. Binary generalized estimating equation models were conducted assessing the impact of alcohol use at baseline on risky sexual behavior and STDs over a 12-month period. Age, intervention group, and baseline outcome measures were entered as covariates. The results indicated that high quantity of alcohol use predicted positive TV test results, inconsistent condom use, high sexual sensation seeking, multiple sexual partners, sex while high on alcohol or drugs, and having anal sex over a 12-month follow-up period. These findings suggest that HIV/STD-related behavioral interventions for African-American adolescents should discuss the link between alcohol and HIV/STD-risk behavior. A deeper understanding is paramount to the development of efficacious prevention programs at individual and community levels.

186. Early Life Origins of Risky Sexual Behavior in Adolescence

Purpose Risky sexual behavior contributes to unplanned teenage pregnancy, sexually transmitted infection (STI) and adverse social, emotional and physical health outcomes in adolescence into adulthood. We have little understanding of early determinants of risky sexual behavior. This study aimed to determine the prospective relationship between problem behavior through childhood, as measured by the Child Behavior Checklist (CBCL), and risky sexual behavior in adolescence. Methods A prospective cohort study (the Western Australian Pregnancy Cohort [Raine] Study) has collected extensive socio-demographic, individual, family and environmental data from over 2800 parents, the children they gave birth to, and individuals in the children’s lives from the antenatal period, birth and every 1-3 years following. Approximately 1200 of these children (now adolescents) reported on sexual experience at the 16/17-year follow-up and were dichotomized into high and low sexual risk groups according to sexual intercourse debut and other sexual behavior. For each childhood follow-up, continuous CBCL z-scores were summarized using medians, inter-quartile ranges and ranges. Mann-Whitney U tests were used to compare outcomes between sexual risk groups. Further, CBCL raw scores at each follow-up were dichotomized with reference to published cut-off values (T scores ≥70), indicating clinically recognized behavioral problems. The Cox proportional hazards model was used to compare the relative risk of sexual debut over time between participants who were identified with behavioral problems at each childhood follow-up and those without. Results Initial analyses show significantly higher z-scores and T scores for Total Behavior Problems and the Externalizing Behavior subscale in participants who reported sexual intercourse debut compared to those who did not (p<0.05). In addition, participants who were identified with clinically recognized delinquent and aggressive behavioral problems during the 5, 8, 10 and 13-year follow-ups were significantly (p<0.005) more likely to have experienced sexual debut with hazard ratios ranging from 1.69 to 4.06 on univariate analyses. These associations remained significant in multivariate analyses when adjustments for multiple potential confounders at each age were considered. Conclusions The development of problem behavior in early childhood is an important contributor to risky sexual behavior in adolescence, but the nature and significance of this relationship is, as yet, unknown. These unique data indicating early predictors of risky sexual behavior in adolescence may help determine how and at what ages interventions may be effective. Sources of Support: NHMRC

Temperament, Context and Sexual Risk among College Students

Much is known about predictors of risky sexual behaviors in young adults. Little is known; however, about the contribution of temperament and how temperament interacts with context to influence sexual risk intentions and actual behaviors. Since intentions are closely linked to behavior, knowing how temperament influences these decisions is important in planning interventions. The purpose of this quasiexperimental study was to examine the effect of gender, temperament, and context on sexual risk intentions and behaviors among college students (N = 145). Although individual components of temperament were associated with sexual risk intentions, temperament did not predict sexual risk intentions in a safer or risky context or actual behaviors. There were also no differences by gender. In this study, temperament did not interact with context to influence sexual risk intentions or behaviors. According to these results, interventions promoting safer sexual behaviors may not have to be tailored to individuals with different temperament styles.

The Importance of Measuring Internalized Homophobia/Homonegativity

The Importance of Measuring Internalized Homophobia/Homonegativity

Using the Information-Motivation Behavioral Model to Predict Sexual Behavior Among Underserved Minority Youth

Testing, refining, and tailoring theoretical approaches that are hypothesized to reduce sexual risk behaviors among adolescent subpopulations is an important task. Relatively little is known about the relationship between components of the information-motivation-behavior (IMB) model and sexual behaviors among underage minority youth. Using the IMB model, this study examines predictors of risky sexual behavior among underserved Hispanic and African-American youth. This cross-sectional study was conducted with a sample of 380 youths aged 11-17 years recruited in Los Angeles, California, and utilized latent variable models to examine interrelationships and predictive relations among IMB model variables associated with risky sexual behavior. Sixty percent of the participants aged 15-17 and 1 out of 10 participants aged 11-12 reported prior sexual intercourse. Of the sexually active, more than half reported having unprotected sex and 11% had sexual intercourse with 4 or more partners. Results of the structural equation model indicated that older age and attitudes against sexual activities had significant, direct impacts on risky sexual behaviors. Behavioral refusal skills, positioned as an intervening variable, also significantly predicted less risky sex. Knowledge, attitudes against sexual activities, and perceived peer pressure against sexual behavior predicted sexual refusal skills. Additionally, there were significant indirect effects on risky sexual behavior mediated through behavioral refusal skills. A large number of disadvantaged minority urban youth are engaged in risky sexual behaviors. Intervention programs, particularly those targeting preadolescents, should focus on building long-lasting behavioral skills that emphasize the reduction of peer pressure and normative influences on risky sexual behaviors. Components of the IMB model clearly have a role in the design of efficacious interventions.