Back to Annual Meeting Page		American Public Health Association 133rd Annual Meeting & Exposition December 10-14, 2005 Philadelphia, PA

Abstract #116227

N. Liddon, PhD, Division of STD Prevention, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 1600 Clifton Road, MS E-44, Atlanta, GA 30333, 404-639-6339, nliddon@cdc.gov, Matthew Hogben, PhD, Behavioral Intervention and Research Branch, DSTDP, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 1600 Clifton Road NE, Mailstop E-44, Altanta, GA 30333, and Emilia H. Koumans, MD, Epidemiology and Surveillance Branch, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 1600 Clifton Road, E-04, Atlanta, ID 30333.

Purpose: This study looks at qualitative answers young women gave for having sex with a specific partner and how they relate to condom use with that partner. Methods: Researchers recruited young women ages 13-19 years from a public adolescent health clinic in Atlanta, GA. Respondents (n=186) were asked about demographics, condom use and reasons for having sex (other than forced). Chi-squares and one-way ANOVAs tested differences in ever and consistent use of condoms in the previous 3 months and age. Results: Open-ended response themes for reasons included: love (27.4%), wanting to (27.4%), physical attraction (26.3%), safety/trust (24.7%), personality (23.1%), feeling liked (10.2%), sense of knowing (9.7%), curiosity (7.5%), long relationship (6.5%), money/support (5.9%), partner pressure (5.4%), peer pressure (3.2%), and being drunk/high (2.7%). Adolescents were more likely to use a condom if they said they had sex because they felt liked (63% vs 42% of sex acts; p=.02) and received gifts or money (75% vs 48% of sex acts; p=0.05). Younger participants cited physical attraction (p=.05) and personality (p=0.02) more often, while older respondents listed wanting to have sex (p=0.02). Conclusions: Young women's motivations for having sex may inform the development and implementation of sexual-risk reduction interventions. Contrary to common perceptions, female adolescents often cite adult-like emotions of love, trust, and knowing a partner as reasons for having sex with someone. Motivations are tied to condom use and change with age, perhaps as a result of developmental processes or sexual experiences.

Learning Objectives: Following this discussion, participants will be able to

• Understand adolescent and young women's motivations for having sex with particular partners.
• Discuss the relationship between motivations for having sex with a partner and subsequent condom use. 2)

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

I wish to disclose that I have NO financial interests or other relationship with the manufactures of commercial products, suppliers of commercial services or commercial supporters.