Objective: To identify correlates of consistent dual-method use among African-American female adolescents at-risk of STDs and pregnancy. Methods: A convenience sample of 522 sexually active female teens attending adolescent medicine clinics, health department clinics and school health classes volunteered. Recruitment sites were in low-income neighborhoods of Birmingham, Alabama. Adolescents completed a questionnaire, a face-to-face interview and provided vaginal swab specimens for laboratory diagnosis of STDs. Those reporting use of condoms and at least one other method of contraception, for each of the last five occasions they had sex, were classified as consistent dual-method users. The questionnaire assessed frequency of adolescents' communication with their parents and partners about sex. The questionnaire also assessed two measures of parental supervision and adolescents' desire to avoid pregnancy. Multiple logistic regression assessed the independent contribution of each correlate to consistent dual-method use. Results: Seventy-one adolescents (13.6%) were classified as consistent dual-method users. A strong desire to avoid pregnancy was the most influential correlate of consistent dual-method use (OR=2.3). Adolescents reporting that their parents generally knew whom they were with (OR=2.0) and those reporting more frequent communication with parents (OR=1.9) were also more likely to be consistent dual-users. Discussion: The findings suggest the need for research to examine the efficacy of interventions building on adolescent females' desire to avoid pregnancy. Study findings also suggest that interventions promoting improved parent-adolescent communication and improved parental supervision may contribute to adolescents' use of dual-methods for STD and pregnancy prevention.
Learning Objectives: At the conclusion of the session, participants will be able to identify and describe the importance of the observed correlates for dual method use among this high-risk sample of adolescents.
Keywords: Adolescents, Contraception
Presenting author's disclosure statement:
Organization/institution whose products or services will be discussed: none
Disclosure not received
Relationship: Not Received.