Predictors of Delay of Sexual Initiation in Adolescents Living in Impoverished Neighborhoods of Prichard and Mobile, Alabama

Background: According to the 2005 Youth Risk Behavior Survey, 47 percent of surveyed high school students reported ever having sexual intercourse. African-American youth have higher rates of ever having sexual intercourse, being currently sexually active, having initiated sexual intercourse prior to the age of 13 years, and having four or more lifetime partners increasing the risk of HIV and STI transmission as well as unintended pregnancies. Purpose: The purpose of this study is to examine the predictors of delay of sexual initiation in adolescents living in impoverished neighborhoods. Methods: This study will capitalize on the Mobile Youth Survey (MYS), a 10-year, community-based, multiple cohort longitudinal study being conducted in adolescents who live in social disadvantaged areas in Mobile and Prichard Alabama. Preliminary analysis was conducted using MYS data from 2001 to 2005 using the statistical software, SPSS. Results: Preliminary analysis showed that adolescents were more likely to report NOT having sexual intercourse if they were female, never been arrested, if a father figure was present in the home, and if they did not harbor feelings of hopelessness. Having a mother figure present in the home and being African-American was not a consistent, statistically significant predictor over the five year time period. Conclusions: Although these data are from cross-sectional analysis, the data shows that parental involvement, non-deviant behavior, and higher levels of hope may be beneficial in helping adolescents delay sexual intercourse.