Objective: To examine the relationship of dating violence history to sexual risk behaviors and pregnancy among a representative sample of high school females. Methods: Females completing the 1997 Massachusetts Youth Risk Behavior Survey who reported having sexual intercourse with male partners (N=744) were included as participants. Bivariate relationships between unsafe sexual practices/pregnancy and dating violence as well as other known risk factors were examined. Based on these analyses, multiple logistic regression models predicting sexual risk behaviors (first sex before age 15, no condom at last sex, alcohol/drug use at last sex, more than two sexual partners in past 3 months) and pregnancy were constructed. Results: Over one-third (37%, n=276) of high school females reported being physically and/or sexually hurt by a dating partner. After controlling for the effects of drug use, heavy smoking, binge drinking and suicidality, high school females who reported dating violence were 2.15x (95% CI=1.50-3.09) more likely to have had sex before age 15, 3.02x (95% CI=1.02-7.58) more likely to have had more than 2 sexual partners in the past 3 months, 1.49x (95% CI=1.8-2.06) more likely to have not used a condom at last sex, and 2.67x (95% CI=1.76-4.06) more likely to have ever been pregnant as compared to their peers. Conclusion: Violence against high school females from dating partners is extremely prevalent. A history of dating violence appears to significantly increase adolescent women’s vulnerability to high-risk sexual behaviors and pregnancy, even after controlling for the effects of other known risk factors.
Learning Objectives: 1. To identify the prevalence of physical and/or sexual dating violence against high school females. 2. To identify the relationship of dating violence to high-risk sexual behaviors and pregnancy after controlling for other known risk factors. 3. To consider the need to include dating violence awareness/prevention in the design of STD/HIV and pregnancy prevention programs for adolescent women
Keywords: Domestic Violence, Sexual Risk Behavior
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.