Influence of gang membership on sexual behaviors among young women involved with the juvenile justice system

BACKGROUND: Young women involved with the juvenile justice system share a disproportionate burden of adolescent sexually transmitted infections, but little is known about the influence of gang membership on sexual risk-taking in this population.

OBJECTIVE: To determine whether gang membership is associated with sexual risk outcomes among young women in the juvenile justice system.

METHODS: Audio Computer Assisted Self Interviews (ACASI) were conducted with 160 females who received sanctions to probation (with or without detainment) in a Northern Nevada juvenile justice system. The ACASI interview assessed gang membership and standardized measures of sexual risk taking in the past six months.

RESULTS: Over one third (34.8%) of participants reported ever having been in a gang. Those with a history of gang involvement were less likely to have used condoms consistently (23% vs. 46%; p=.01) and were more likely to report having sex while drunk or high (72% vs. 51%; p=.03) during the past six months. Young women with a history of gang membership were also more likely to report at least one pregnancy (43% vs. 22%; p=.008), intimate partner forced sex (38% vs. 18%; p=.007) and a history of having sex (24% vs. 7%; p=.006) or stripping (16% vs. 4%; p=.01) for money, drugs, or a place to stay.

DISCUSSION: Females involved with gangs are at especially high risk for engaging in sexual risk-taking. Interventions aimed at decreasing sexually transmitted infection among young women involved with the juvenile justice system should consider the influence of gang membership on sexual risk behaviors.