247553 Navigating sex, intimacy and contraception among Latino youth: A male versus female perspective

Tuesday, November 1, 2011: 3:30 PM

Genevieve Martinez-Garcia, PhD , Healthy Teen Network, Baltimore, MD
Nancy Atkinson, PhD , National Cancer Institute, Consultant, Takoma Park, MD
Rodrigo Ibacache, BA , Nova Research Company, Bethesda, MD
  
     
To better understand how Latino youth navigate intimate and sexual relationship we conducted 8 focus groups with 64 Latino male and female youth from a Mid Atlantic community. Each focus group was gender exclusive. Focus group data was analyzed using predetermined categories and was coded for emerging themes. Focus Group discussion focused on perspectives of sexual activity and initiation, people who influenced sexual activity, gender and cultural attitudes regarding sexual activity. Participants also discussed their preferred use of contraception, attitudes towards contraception use and negotiating contraception with their partners. Finally, attitudes towards teen pregnancy were also assessed, as well as their perception of pregnancy acceptance in their family and their community. The discussion clearly shows a discrepancy between female and male perspectives regarding sexual activity, contraception use and the risk of pregnancy. Fathers and mothers each send different and conflicting messages about sex and contraception to their children based on their gender. Implications on teen pregnancy and risky sexual behavior will be discussed.

Learning Areas:
Public health or related research
Social and behavioral sciences

Learning Objectives:
Describe the differences between males and females in responding to sexual initiation, contraception use and pregnancy risk. Identify key influential individuals on contraception use and sexual initiation.

Keywords: Sexual Behavior, Latinos

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

Qualified on the content I am responsible for because: I am an experienced researcher in the field of latino youth sexual and reproductive health, and conducted the research presented in the abstract.
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: Gender, Sexuality, and Reproductive Health
See more of: Population, Reproductive and Sexual Health