Objectives: This study examined psychosocial and behavioral correlates of refusing sexual intercourse without a condom among African American adolescent females. Methods: Interviews and surveys were completed by 522 sexually active African American adolescent females, aged 14 through 18 in Birmingham, AL. Instrument development and hypotheses were based on the Theory of Gender and Power. Results: Sixty-four percent (n=335) of the sample reported experiencing pressure from a male partner for unprotected sex in the previous six months; 71% of these adolescents always refused pressure for unprotected sex. Adolescents with high safer-sex self-efficacy, who perceived few partner barriers to condom use, had low desire for pregnancy, and used condoms for birth control were more likely to consistently refuse unprotected intercourse. Adolescents who reported ever having an STD were less likely to consistently refuse unprotected sexual intercourse. Conclusions: In this study, about 70% of the adolescents consistently refused unprotected sex. Although this finding is encouraging, the remaining adolescents represent a substantial problem that must be addressed in the field of public health: providing adolescent females with the pre-requisite skills for refusing unprotected sex. STD prevention programs for adolescent females should address partner-related barriers and desire for pregnancy, and increase skills in refusing unprotected sexual intercourse.
Learning Objectives: 1) Audience members will be able to identify psychosocial and behavioral correlates of refusing unprotected sexual intercourse–an effective condom negotiation strategy. 2) Audience members will be able to apply study findings to develop HIV/STD prevention program strategies appropriate for female populations
Keywords: Adolescents, Condom Use
Presenting author's disclosure statement:
Organization/institution whose products or services will be discussed: None
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.