Factors Associated with High-Risk Sexual Behavior among Sexually Active Adolescent Females: YRBS 2005

In 2005, the HIV case rate for Black women was 23 times the rate for white women. HIV infection was the leading cause of death for black women (including African American women) aged 25–34 years in 2004, suggesting that seroconversion occurs as early as high school age in African American women. Black women are most likely to be infected with HIV as a result of sex with men who are infected with HIV. It is imperative to understand what leads to this high-risk sexual behavior to develop preventive measures. The purpose of this study was to examine racial differences in the prevalence of high-risk sexual behavior among adolescent females and the factors associated with this behavior that could lead to high-risk sexual behaviors as adults. Data is taken from the 2005 Youth Risk Behavior Surveillance System. For the purpose of this study, the sample was restricted to Caucasian and African American sexually active adolescent females (N=2,186). High-risk sexual behavior was defined as no condom use at the last sexual intercourse. Variables of interest included age at sexual debut, race, substance use, sexual behaviors, emotional health, and HIV/AIDS education. Results from multivariable logistic regression stratified by race will be shared. Initial results show factors relating to emotional health are strongly associated with high-risk sexual behavior among African American females. Results also provide evidence against widely accepted variables as explanations for high-risk sexual behavior among African American females. These findings will be useful in developing evidence-based, culturally appropriate prevention programs.