179610 Sexual Intercourse and Oral Sex in Young Urban Teens

Monday, October 27, 2008

Joshua J. Terchek, BA , Department of Family Medicine, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH
Michael Rueschman, BA, MA , Department of Epidemiology and Biostatisitcs, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH
Michelle Del Toro, MA , Department of Epidemiology and Biostatisitcs, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH
Sara Abdollahian, BA , Department of Epidemiology and Biostatisitcs, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH
Scott Frank , Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH
Introduction: The extent to which sexual behaviors amongst middle school students has been studied is limited. Further, representative samples may underestimate rates of behavior in those populations most at risk. This poster presents rates and patterns of sexual intercourse and oral sex in urban, 13-14 year-old middle school students compared to national rates. Methods: A modified version of the Youth Risk Behavior Survey was administered to 1058 students in an urban Midwestern school district in 2005. Items from the survey assessing lifetime oral sex and sexual intercourse engagement were analyzed among 13-14 year-old male and female students. Results: Higher rates of sexual behaviors occurred in the urban sample. 29.2% of 13-14 year old students ever had sexual intercourse compared to 5% of in the same age range in the national sample. Although fewer students in the urban sample reported ever having had oral sex than sex (18.1%), the rate for oral sex was much higher than the national rate (4%). Sexual behaviors are not mutually exclusive with 5% of students engaging in oral sex only, 17.2% had only sexual intercourse, while 15% reported ever having both sexual intercourse and oral sex. Gender, race, and socioeconomic differences in sexual activity are also explored. Conclusion: Urban middle school students are at increased risk for sexually transmitted infection and pregnancy compared to national averages. The high levels of sexual activity within this population suggest the need for increased resources regarding education and prevention in this age group.

Learning Objectives:
To highlight the high level of sexual risk behaviors in young urban teens compared to nationally representative data

Keywords: Adolescents, Sexual Risk Behavior

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

Qualified on the content I am responsible for because: I was substantively involved in the research and write up the abstract and poster. I do not have any conflicts of interests.
Any relevant financial relationships? No

I agree to comply with the American Public Health Association Conflict of Interest and Commercial Support Guidelines, and to disclose to the participants any off-label or experimental uses of a commercial product or service discussed in my presentation.