Abstract #56210

Millicent E. Fleming-Moran, PhD, Applied Health Science, Indiana University, School of Health, Physical Education & Recreation, Bloomington, IN 47405 and Bilesha Perera, MSc, Prevention Resource Center, Indiana University, Room 110, Creative Arts Building, 2735, East 10th Street, Bloomington, IN 47408, 812 855 1237, pperera@indiana.edu.

Coital exposure to multiple partners (MSP) is a known risk factor for heterosexual transmission of HIV/AIDS in US low income and rural populations. Associations between MSP and increasing age, minority status, early sexual debut, and substance abuse are also documented, but their independent contribution to MSP exposure has rarely been studied. Gender-specific, logistic regression models (using SUDAAN software), controlled for age and ethnicity, and explored early sexual debut (13 or younger), current binge drinking, crack/cocaine use, HIV/AIDS education, primary health care use, and rural-urban status – in explaining exposure to 4+ lifetime sex partners, in the national sample of 6000 sexually-active, 2001Youth Risk Behavior Survey respondents, aged 11-18. Controlling for increasing age and ethnicity, early sexual debut was a major influence on both gender’s likelihood of 4+ partners (males: OR 8.2 [6.6-10.2], females: OR 4.7 3.7-5.9]). Additionally accounting for early debut, both male’s and female’s risk of 4+ partners was independently influenced by both binge-drinking (males: OR 2.1 [1.57-2.3]; females: 1.72, [1.4-2.1]), or use of cocaine (OR 1.8 [1.3-2.1]; OR 2.4 [1.86-2.9], respectively). For females, the lack of access to primary care services was also a moderate, but significant covariate (OR 1.28), while lack of HIV education, or rural residence did not enter either gender’s model. Conclusions: These models suggest great potential health impact of effective pre-adolescent programs to delay both sexual debut and binge drinking, in reducing US teens’ risk of HIV & STD exposure, especially in regions with high current prevalence of STDs.

Learning Objectives:

Following the presentation, attendees will be able to:
• Identify behavioral risk factors among US adolescents associated with having multiple sex partners,
• Understand the relative contribution of HIV/AIDS education and access to primary care in influencing adolescents' exposure to multiple partners,
• Prioritize gender, ethnic and age groups for special programs targeting reduction/delay of sexual activity and/or substance abuse,
• Understand gender differences in the relative contributions of behavioral and environmental factors in high-risk sexual activities,

Keywords: Adolescents, Sexual Risk Behavior

Presenting author's disclosure statement:
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.

Handout (.ppt format, 1316.5 kb)