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APHA Scientific Session and Event Listing

Danielle B. Jackson, MPH¹, Stephen McCracken, PhD², and Paul Stupp, PhD². (1) ORISE/Division of Reproductive Health, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 4770 Buford Hwy, NE, MS K-23, Atlanta, GA 30341, 770 488-6504, DBJackson@cdc.gov, (2) Division of Reproductive Health, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 4770 Buford Hwy, NE, MS K-35, Atlanta, GA 30341

Background: Early initiation of sexual activity among young women and men in Central America can lead to unintended pregnancy and exposure to STDs, including HIV. Methods: This paper examines risk factors associated with early sexual initiation among young women and men in three Central American countries using findings from recent household, nationally representative Reproductive Health Surveys in the region (Guatemala 2002, El Salvador 2002/03, and Honduras 2001). Each included a special young adult module for women and men aged 15 – 24 years. Results: The median age at first intercourse ranged from 16.2 to 16.4 years for young women and 15.0 to 15.5 years for young men. In Guatemala and Honduras, 63.3% and 51.3% of sexually experienced young women reported their first intercourse as marital, while in El Salvador, 76% reported premarital first experience. Almost all of the sexually experienced young men reported their first experience as premarital. Among young women whose first intercourse was before age 15, between 35% and 47% had partners who were 20 or more years old. Of the women who had ever been pregnant, 28% to 32.6% did not believe they could become pregnant when they first became pregnant. Interestingly, 45.0 to 67.7 percent of women who were less than 15 years of age at first pregnancy reported that the pregnancy was wanted. Conclusions: While many similarities exist, young adults face varying reproductive health challenges across gender and marital status.

Learning Objectives:

• At the conclusion of this session, the participant in this session will be able to
• X Describe the sexual behaviors and associated risk factors for adolescents in three Central American countries
• X Discuss reproductive health indicators of young adults in three Central American countries.
• X Identify needs of young adults in each country.

Keywords: Reproductive Health, Adolescent Health

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

Not Answered