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

Abstract #116954

Margaret Copemann, BS, CHES, D.C Department of Health Maternal and Family Health Administration, 825 North Capital St NE 3rd floor, Washington, DC 20002, 202-576-6694, margaret.copemann@dc.gov, Drena Reaves-Bey, MPH, GCPH, Maternal and Family Health Administration, D.C Deptartment of Health, 825 North Capital St NE 3rd floor, Washington, DC 20002, and Letitia Black, BS, Maternal and Family Health Administration, DC Department of Health, 825 North Capital St. NE, Washington, DC 20002.

Although teen pregnancy rates in the District of Columbia continue to decrease, sexually transmitted diseases and HIV rates continue to grow- a clear indication that District youth are avoiding pregnancy but still engage in high-risk sexual behaviors. According to the 2003 Youth Risk Behavior Surveillance System (YRBS), the District reported a significant increase of adolescents consuming alcohol and marijuana, with marijuana being the drug of choice. Research also confirms that 54% of sexually active adolescents ages 8-19 have preceded sexual activity with alcohol use. Alcohol and marijuana use lowers inhibitions, impairing the judgment of teens to abstain from sex or use condoms. Add to that equation peer pressure and unsupervised time, opportunities for sexual experiences evolve. These findings have implications for health and sexuality educators. With the increase of newly HIV infected youth ages 15-24 in the District of Columbia, it is imperative that educators emphasize the influence of alcohol and marijuana on risky sexual behaviors.

There has been insufficient information provided on the influence of alcohol and marijuana use on adolescent sexual behavior. Therefore, three DC Department of Health programs, Abstinence Education, Health and Sexuality Education and Prevent Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders, are making a concerted effort to provide comprehensive education to District adolescents, helping them understand the risks of mixing alcohol, marijuana and sex. As a united body, the programs have designed a citywide marketing plan to increase community awareness about the impact of alcohol and marijuana on the overall health and well being of DC's youth.

Learning Objectives:

• Discuss factors in communities that may support an environment for risky sexual behavior.
• Highlight the multi-disciplinary approach to preventing the consequences of alcohol, marijuana and sex.
• Identify community resources, which may support alternative opportunities for youth.

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.