Differences in pre-coital sexual activity among minority adolescents in the U.S. and South Africa

Background: Minority youth are more likely to contract HIV than any other demographic group. Most research on adolescent sexual activity does not address early patterns of pre-coital behavior leading to unsafe sex. Understanding these patterns may help in determining appropriate timing for risk reduction interventions.

Methods: This study examined patterns of pre-coital behavior among Haitian American (N=276), African American and Hispanic (N=204), and South African (N=83) adolescents participating in HIV prevention interventions in Miami, Florida and Mamelodi Township, South Africa. Data from the participants' baseline evaluations on the Adolescent Sexual Activity Index (ASAI; Hansen, Paskett & Carter, 1999) were used. Mean scores indicate the level of sexual activity an individual has reached, ranging from holding hands/hugging a partner to engaging in sexual intercourse.

Results: There were significant differences between the three groups on ASAI mean scores, with Haitian adolescents having significantly lower scores (µ = 3.66, SD= 2.64) than African American and Hispanic adolescents (µ = 4.72, SD=2.97) and South African adolescents (µ = 4.85, SD=2.20) [F=9.263, p=.000]. There were also significant gender differences within the groups.

Conclusion: South African adolescents reported higher levels of pre-coital sexual behaviors than same-aged teens in the Miami area. Haitian American teens reported the lowest levels of pre-coital activity. Sexual Education programs may be more effective if they are tailored to the sexual experience levels found in the targeted populations and should be designed to fit the needs of different ethnic groups as well.