237295 Adolescent Personal and Peer Marijuana Use and Adulthood Sexually Transmitted Infection Risk: Race and Gender Differences in Associations

Monday, October 31, 2011

Amanda Berger, MA , School of Public Health, Family Science Department, University of Maryland, College Park, MD
Maria Khan, PhD , School of Public Health, Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, University of Maryland, College Park, MD
Jordana Hemberg , Department of Behavioral and Community Health, University of Maryland, College Park, College Park, MD
Objectives. To measure longitudinal associations between adolescent marijuana and young adulthood sexually transmitted infection risk among white and black youth in the United States.

Design. Analysis of prospective cohort study data. Wave I (1994-1995) of the National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent Health collected data from adolescents, and Wave III (2001-2002) collected data and urine specimens for STI testing from young adults.

Settings. In-home interviews in the continental United States, Alaska, and Hawaii.

Participants. Population-based sample. Black and white respondents of Waves I (adolescence) and III (young adulthood) (N=10,738).

Main Exposures. Report at Wave I of ever having used marijuana, recent marijuana use (more than once in the previous month), and peer marijuana use (having at least one of three best friends who used marijuana).

Outcome Measures. Multiple sex partnerships in the year prior to Wave III; self-report of an STI (Chlamydia, gonorrhea, trichomoniasis, syphilis, herpes simplex virus-2, HIV) in the year prior to Wave III; and biologically-confirmed STI (Chlamydia, gonorrhea, trichomoniasis) at Wave III.

Results. Personal and peer marijuana use in adolescence were markers for multiple partnerships and self-reported and/or biologically-confirmed STI in adulthood. Adjusted analyses suggested that adulthood STI risk was predicted by adolescent marijuana use in all groups, and by peer marijuana use among white females and black males.

Conclusions. Adolescents who use marijuana, or who have friends who use, constitute priority populations for STI prevention. Evidence that marijuana use is an independent predictor of STI risk suggests that reducing adolescent marijuana exposure may reduce STI.

Learning Areas:
Diversity and culture
Epidemiology
Public health or related research

Learning Objectives:
Compare race- and gender-specific prevalences of adolescent personal and peer marijuana use. Identify sub-population-specific longitudinal associations between adolescent personal and peer marijuana use and adulthood multiple partnerships and biologically-confirmed sexually transmitted infections. Describe differential effects of adolescent personal and peer marijuana use on young adulthood sexual risk outcomes by sub-population.

Keywords: Marijuana, Sexual Risk Behavior

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

Qualified on the content I am responsible for because: I am qualified to present because I have presented several posters and oral presentations on the topics of substance use and of sexual risk taking. I am also in preparation of six manuscripts on adolescent and young adulthood substance use and sexual risk takign behaviors. Further, my dissertation topic is focused on antecedents of adolescent and young adult sexual risk behaviors.
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.

See more of: Predictors and Outcomes of Alcohol, Tobacco, and Other Drug Use Among Youth
See more of: Alcohol, Tobacco, and Other Drugs