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APHA Scientific Session and Event Listing

Roy Oman, PhD¹, Sara Vesely, PhD¹, Cheryl Aspy, PhD¹, Eleni Tolma, PhD¹, and Sharon Rodine². (1) College of Public Health, Oklahoma University Health Sciences Center, 900 NE 10th St., Oklahoma City, OK 73104, (405)271-2017, Roy-Oman@ouhsc.edu, (2) OICA, 420 NW 13th, Oklahoma City, OK 73103

Research has found a consistent association between youth assets and reduced sexual activity. This study's purpose was to determine if the associations would persist regardless of parental income. The study sample consisted of youth (Mean age= 14.9±1.8 years; 52% female; 44% white, 23% Hispanic, 23% black, 10% other) and their parents (N=2335 youth/parent pairs) living in two Midwest cities. Thirty percent of the youth reported they had participated in sexual intercourse. Individual logistic regression analyses were conducted by parental income levels (<$0,000, $20,000-$35,000, >$35,00-$50,000, >$50,000), controlling for other demographic variables as appropriate, with nine youth assets as the independent variables and “never had sexual intercourse” as the dependent variable. Fourteen asset/never had sexual intercourse associations (p<.05) were found in the two lower income levels versus nine significant associations in the two upper income levels. Three assets (Use of Time (groups/sports), Good Health Practices (exercise/nutrition), Community Involvement) were significantly associated with never having had sexual intercourse only in one or both of the lower income levels. Conversely, there were no significant asset/sexual intercourse associations that were indicated only in one or both upper income levels. Two assets (Use of Time (religion), Responsible Choices) were significantly associated with never having had sexual intercourse in all four income levels. In regard to preventing or delaying the debut of sexual intercourse, the results suggest there may be specific assets that are particularly important for youth living in lower income households and that there are specific assets that are important regardless of income level.

Learning Objectives:

• Identify specific youth assets associated with a reduction in youth sexual behavior for youth living in lower income households.
• Identify specific youth assets associated with a reduction in youth sexual behavior for all youth irrespective of household income.

Keywords: Sexual Risk Behavior, Adolescent Health

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

Any relevant financial relationships? No