Adolescents and the co-occurrence of the early onset of sexual intercourse and drug use risk behaviors

Purpose: This study investigated the co-occurrence of the early onset of self reported sexual intercourse (classified as reporting sexual intercourse before the age of 13) and risk behaviors among youth associated with drug use. Methods: In 2006, a sample of 3,583 high school students completed a modified version of the Youth Risk Behavior Survey. Cross tabulations and odds ratio comparisons were used to analyze the co-occurrence of sexual intercourse behaviors (early onset intercourse, intercourse during or after the age 13, and abstinence from sexual intercourse) along with alcohol, tobacco, and drug use. Results: The findings indicate that students reporting having sexual intercourse before the age of 13 were 16 times more likely to report lifetime marijuana use, 42 times more likely to report lifetime ecstasy use, 49 times more likely to report lifetime cocaine use, and 40 times more likely to report lifetime methamphetamine use than those that abstained from sex. Students reporting initiating sexual intercourse before 13 were 6 times more likely to report cocaine use in the past 30 days compared to those who reported initiating sexual intercourse during or after the age of 13. Conclusions: Adolescents exhibiting health risk behaviors associated with the early onset of sexual intercourse greatly increase their risk of drug use and abuse. This study supports similar findings in previous research indicating the co-occurrence of the early onset of sexual activity and drug use risk behaviors among U.S. adolescents. Key Words: sexual behavior, drug use, adolescents, youth.