Introduction: The purpose of this paper is to investigate factors influencing history of sexually transmitted disease among a group of adolescent women who are pregnant or parenting. It is important to understand the role of alcohol and drug use in sexually transmitted disease in order to develop effective intervention programs. Methods: Data are from a group 212 pregnant/parenting teens at baseline data collection before an intervention program began. Variables included in the analyses were age, partner/household status, ethnicity, number of sexual partners, condom use, quantity and frequency of alcohol use and number of alcohol problems. Results: Among the 212 young women, data on STD status was available on 192. Of those, 21percent reported ever having a history of STDs. A stepwise, multiple regression analysis was performed using ever having a history of sexually transmitted disease as the dependent variable. Blocks of variables were entered stepwise: the demographic block, the sexual behavior block and the alcohol/drug block. One variable entered from each block: the variable from the first block that entered was African American ethnicity (OR=4.83), from the second block number of partners entered (OR=1.43) and from the final block alcohol problems entered (OR=1.48). Conclusion: This subgroup of high-risk young women show a similar pattern to that seen in general population, that is, STD history is more highly associated with number of sexual partners and alcohol problems rather than condom use and drinking. Funding: CSAP
Learning Objectives: at the conclusion the listener will be able to: 1. Understand how alcohol and STDS are linked 2. Identify risk factors for STDs 3. Will be able to develop more effective programs to prevent STDs.
Keywords: Adolescent Health, Sexual Risk Behavior
Presenting author's disclosure statement:
Organization/institution whose products or services will be discussed: None
Disclosure not received
Relationship: Not Received.