Back to Annual Meeting Page		American Public Health Association 133rd Annual Meeting & Exposition December 10-14, 2005 Philadelphia, PA

Abstract #110818

Kelly L'Engle, MPH¹, Christine Jackson, PhD², and Kristin Kenneavy¹. (1) University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Carroll Hall, CB #3365, Chapel Hill, NC 27599-3365, 919-843-5852, kladin@email.unc.edu, (2) PIRE Chapel Hill Center, 1516 E. Franklin St., Ste 200, Chapel Hill, NC 27514

Objectives. Adolescents who have more opportunities for sexual intimacy are more likely to engage in sexual intercourse. In this study, the relationship between sexual opportunity and family, school, and religious contexts are examined. Methods. One thousand and eleven 9th and 10th graders from 14 public schools in the Southeastern U.S. completed an in-home Audio-CASI survey. Sexual opportunity was indicated by an affirmative response to the question: “Have you ever been in a private place without any adults around with just one guy or girl that you were attracted to?” Logistic regressions were conducted for each set of contextual variables, and variables that emerged as significant were entered into a final regression model. Results. After controlling for age, gender, and race, adolescents who reported sexual opportunity were six times more likely to report sexual intercourse (43% vs.11%; 95% CI 4.2 to 9.3, p<.000). Sexual opportunity was more likely among respondents who reported their parents didn't know their whereabouts and approved of teen sexual activity. Sexual opportunity was also higher among adolescents who were less connected to school, had worse grades, and had lower college expectations. The religious context had no association with opportunity. In the final regression model, these parent and school factors explained unique variance in sexual opportunity. Conclusions. Parents can play a proactive role in decreasing their adolescents' sexual activity through increased supervision and discouraging initiation of sexual intercourse. Supporting a strong connection to school and education can also decrease adolescents' sexual opportunity and activity.

Learning Objectives: At the conclusion of the session, the participant (learner) will

(
• Recognize the importance of sexual opportunity in determining adolescents' sexual activity; (
• Understand how parents and schools can and do influence adolescents' sexual activity.

Keywords: Adolescent Health, Risk Behavior

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

I wish to disclose that I have NO financial interests or other relationship with the manufactures of commercial products, suppliers of commercial services or commercial supporters.

Recorded presentation