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APHA Scientific Session and Event Listing

Amy Bleakley, PhD, MPH, Michael Hennessy, PhD, MPH, Martin Fishbein, PhD, Amy Jordan, PhD, Robin C. Stevens, MPH, Ariel Chernin, and Elizabeth Davis, MPH. Annenberg School for Communication, University of Pennsylvania, 3620 Walnut Street, Philadelphia, PA 19104, 215-898-5000, ableakley@asc.upenn.edu

Adolescents' sexual decision-making and behavior may in part be shaped by the sources (e.g. friends, media, medical professionals) from which they learn about sex. A more thorough understanding of individual and structural characteristics associated with choosing particular sources and how these sources operate on various theoretical constructs (e.g. self-efficacy, intentions) has implications for intervention and message design. Data were collected in summer 2005 through a web-based survey using a convenience sample of 547 youth aged 14-16 from the Philadelphia area. Adolescents checked all the sources, from a list of 14 persons/institutions, where they learned “about sexual intercourse in their lives.” Other measures included discussions with parents and friends about sexual behaviors and STDs/contraception, relevant theoretical constructs, and how much they feel they know about sex, protection, and proper condom use compared to others their age. Sources of information reported most frequently included friends (74.5%), teachers (62.1%), mothers (61.4%), the media (56%), and doctors (40.5%). Preliminary analyses indicate significant differences by racial group (e.g., 64% of whites report learning from the media compared to 50.4% of African-Americans). Analyses using ttests also showed significant differences on various theoretical constructs. For example, those learning from doctors had stronger intentions to have sex compared to those who did not learn from doctors. Consistent with this, those who learned from doctors also reported higher perceived behavioral control and self-efficacy.

Learning Objectives: At the conclusion of the session, the participant (learner) in this session will be able to

• List sources of information from which adolescent learn about sex
• Identify individual and structural characteristics associated with learning from different sources
• Describe how learning from different sources influences theoretical constructs associated with adolescents’ intention to have sex

Keywords: Adolescents, Health Education

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

Not Answered