242376
Does Drinking Frequency Matter?: Understanding the Relationship between Alcohol Use, Sexual Risk, and Prior Abuse Among African-American Adolescent Females
Wednesday, November 2, 2011: 12:30 PM
Jennifer L. Brown, PhD
,
Department of Behavioral Sciences and Health Education, Emory University Rollins School of Public Health, Atlanta, GA
Jessica M. Sales, PhD
,
Rollins School of Public Health Department of Behavioral Sciences and Health Education, Emory University, Atlanta, GA
Ralph J. DiClemente, PhD
,
Rollins School of Public Health and Center for AIDS Research, Emory Univeristy, Atlanta, GA
Teaniese P. Latham, MPH
,
Rollins School of Public Health Department of Behavioral Sciences and Health Education, Emory University, Atlanta, GA
Andrea Swartzendruber, MPH
,
Department of Behavioral Sciences and Health Education, Emory University, Atlanta, GA
Eve S. Rose, MSPH
,
Rollins School of Public Health, Department of Behavioral Science and Health Education, Emory University, Atlanta, GA
Background: Few studies have investigated whether frequency of alcohol use is associated with differences in sexual behavior or linked to past abuse. Thus, this study examined the association between alcohol use frequency and sexual risk engagement and prior abuse among African American female adolescents. Methods: 701 African-American adolescent females (aged 14-20 years) completed ACASI interviews with measures of substance use, sexual behaviors, and abuse history prior to participating in an STD/HIV prevention trial. Of those reporting alcohol use in the past 90 days (n = 362), bivariate and logistic regression analyses compared the lowest frequency drinkers (lowest quartile: 1 day of drinking: n = 81) and highest frequency drinkers (highest quartile: 7 or more days drinking: n = 75). Results: In logistic regression analyses controlling for age, high frequency drinkers had more sexual partners (AOR = 1.45, p = .015) and more sexual encounters while high or drunk in the last 90 days (AOR = 1.14, p = .009). There were no differences in condom use or STDs. More frequent drinkers also reported higher rates of past smoking (AOR = 6.59, p = .001) and emotional abuse (AOR = 2.47, p = .012) and physical abuse histories (AOR = 2.11, p = .030). Discussion: Results suggest more frequent drinkers may engage in greater sexual risk behaviors and be more likely to smoke cigarettes. Prior abuse was also more prevalent among frequent drinkers. Multi-faceted interventions to address alcohol use, sexual risk, and previous abuse are needed for African American female adolescents.
Learning Areas:
Public health or related education
Public health or related research
Learning Objectives: 1. Examine differences in sexual risk behaviors between low and high frequency drinkers among a sample of African American adolescent women.
2. Examine the relationship between alcohol use and past abuse history.
3. Discuss suggestions for addressing substance use and past abuse in STD risk reduction interventions.
Keywords: Alcohol, HIV Risk Behavior
Presenting author's disclosure statement:Qualified on the content I am responsible for because: Dr. Brown received her Masters and Doctoral Degrees in Clinical Psychology at Syracuse University. Dr. Brown has extensive research experience in the design, implementation, and evaluation of HIV/STD risk reduction interventions. Her research also investigates factors that contribute to risky sexual behavior among adolescents and adults who are at risk for HIV infection. In addition, her research examines measurement issues related to the assessment of health behaviors. Dr. Brown's graduate and post-doctoral training in clinical health psychology focused on the provision of psychological services to individuals infected with HIV/AIDS.
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.
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