Sexual Risk and Alcohol Use among St. Lucian Adolescents

BACKGROUND: Risky sexual behaviors such as early sexual initiation and unprotected sexual activity increase the risk of STIs and unintended pregnancy. Alcohol consumption elevates these risks. Few studies have examined the association between alcohol consumption and sexual activity in the islands of the Eastern Caribbean. This study examines risky sexual behavior and related alcohol use behaviors among adolescents in St. Lucia. METHODS: Secondary data analyses were conducted with 2007 Saint Lucia Global School Health Survey data of 1,276 adolescents. Bivariate analysis compared the associations of demographic (age, gender) to risky behaviors, and compared sexual risk behavior to alcohol use behaviors of adolescents. RESULTS: About 27% of adolescents had sex. Males were twice more likely to initiate sex by age 12 (62.8%). Of adolescents who had sex, 39.6% initiated sexual activity by age 11, and only 55.4% used condoms at last sex. About 22% of adolescents reported sexual intercourse in the past 12 months. Early sexual initiators (age 12 or younger) were more likely to have more than one drink in the past 30 days than those who delayed sexual initiation (p<.001). Males who did not use condoms in past 12 months, were more likely to have one or more drinks in the past 30 days (p<0.001). CONCLUSION: Adolescent males engaged in more risky sexual and alcohol consumption behaviors than females. Overall, adolescents who delay sex are less likely to engage in risky drinking. Research and practice is needed to target St. Lucian youth and educate them on reducing risky behaviors.