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Lei Zhang, MBA, Victor Sutton, MPPA, Vafa Kamali, PhD, Mary G. Armstrong, MD, and Peter J. Fos, DDS, PhD. Mississippi State Department of Health, 570 East Woodrow Wilson, Jackson, MS 39215, 601-576-7112, lzhang@msdh.state.ms.us
Objective: To examine changes in sexual risk behavior among Mississippi high school students during the period of increased prevention efforts.
Setting: Unprotected sexual intercourse places Mississippi youth at risk for human immunodeficiency virus infection, other sexually transmitted diseases, and unintended pregnancy. Responsible sexual behavior among adolescents is one of the ten leading health indicators of the Healthy People 2010. In the past several years, Mississippi State Department of Health and Department of Education have been promoting responsible sexual behavior among adolescents.
Methods: We combined six Mississippi Youth Risk Behavior Surveys (1993-2003). Topics of sexual experience, having multiple sex partners, current sexual activity, and condom use were selected for investigation. Overall temporal changes were analyzed by using SUDAAN logistic regression that assessed linear and quadratic time effects.
Results: During 1993-2003, the prevalence of sexual experience, multiple sex partners, and current sexual activity among Mississippi high school students showed a significant linear decrease. A significant quadratic trend also was detected for sexual experience, indicating that it leveled off during 1993-1995, peaked in 1997, and then declined during 1999-2003. The prevalence of condom use showed a significant linear increase during 1993-2003.
Conclusion: The activities conducted by the two State Departments to promote responsible sexual behavior among adolescents were very effective.
Learning Objectives: Participants can learn trend analysis for complex surveys in a public health setting.
Learning Objectives:
Keywords: Youth, Sex
Related Web page: www.cdc.gov/yrbss
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.