269500 A population based study of sexual risk behaviors among sexually active adolescent females: A comparison of behaviorally bisexual to behaviorally heterosexual high school students in Massachusetts

Tuesday, October 30, 2012 : 5:15 PM - 5:30 PM

Jaclyn White, MPH , The Fenway Institute, Fenway Health, Boston, MA
Sari L. Reisner, MA , The Fenway Institute, Fenway Health and Harvard School of Public Health, Boston, MA
Matthew J. Mimiaga, ScD, MPH , Psychiatry, Harvard Medical School/Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard School of Public Health and the Fenway Institute, Fenway Health, Boston, MA
     
Differences in sexual health outcomes (e.g., sexual risk-taking, HIV/STI screening, STI history, pregnancy history, contraceptive use) among adolescent girls by sexual orientation remain under-investigated. Data were from a representative sample of sexually active high school females (n=912) who participated in the 2007 Massachusetts Youth Risk Behavior Surveillance survey. Separate, weighted logistic regression models were fit to examine sexual health outcomes by lifetime sexual behavior (behaviorally-bisexual: lifetime sexual contact with women and men 11.5% vs. behaviorally-heterosexual: lifetime sexual contact with men only 88.5%; all weighted) adjusting for age and race/ethnicity. Behaviorally-bisexual girls, relative to behaviorally-heterosexual girls, had an increased odds of: (1) unprotected sex during most recent sexual encounter - past 3 months (adjusted odds ratio (aOR)=2.22; 95% CI=1.13-4.38; p=0.02); (2) substance use during most recent sexual encounter - past 3 months (aOR=2.22; 95% CI=1.54-4.59; p=0.0004); (3) sex before age 13 (aOR=3.94; 95% CI=1.89-8.21; p=0.0002); (4) four or more lifetime sexual partners (aOR=3.67; 95% CI=2.17-6.19; p<0.0001), (5) lifetime unwanted/forced sex (aOR=4.14; 95% CI=2.70-6.34; p<0.0001); (6) lifetime STI test (aOR=2.66; 95% CI=1.13-3.13; p=0.02). No significant differences were seen in HIV/STI history (p=0.18), lifetime HIV test (p=0.09), contraceptive history (p=0.98), or pregnancy history (p=0.98). Additional research is needed to understand the factors that may contribute to differences in sexual risk-taking by sexual orientation/behavior among sexually active adolescent girls. Studies that explore sexual wellness across the lifespan, and are informed by developmental differences beginning in adolescence, may provide insight into the differential sexual risk outcomes observed between behaviorally-bisexual vs. heterosexual females later in life.

Learning Areas:
Epidemiology
Public health or related research

Learning Objectives:
To assess differences in sexual health outcomes (e.g., sexual risk-taking, HIV/STI screening, STI history, pregnancy history, contraceptive use) among adolescent girls by sexual orientation.

Keywords: Adolescent Health, Sexual Behavior

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

Qualified on the content I am responsible for because: I assisted in the analysis and interpretation of this data and served as an author of this abstract. I currently serve as the project manager on two NIH-funded randomized controlled intervention trials for two highly at-risk populations - men who have sex with men who abuse crystal methamphetamine in the context of sex and young transgender women.
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.

Back to: 4416.0: Reproductive and sexual health for teens and young adults, part 3: risk behaviors