276010
Repeat gonorrhea infections, sexual addiction and impulsivity in women
Grace L. Reynolds, DPA,
Center for Behavioral Research and Services, California State University, Long Beach, Long Beach, CA
Dennis G. Fisher, PhD,
Center for Behavioral Research and Services, California State University, Long Beach, Long Beach, CA
Background: In adolescent African American women repeat gonorrhea infections are associated with impulsivity, but personality measures are seldom used in sexually transmitted infection studies of adults. The objective of this study was to identify personality variables that act as predictors of repeat gonorrhea infections in a sample of adult women. Methods: Women completed several personality measures on sexual compulsivity, impulsivity, and sexual addiction and provided demographic and sexual risk behavior information. Information on gonorrhea infection was elicited by both self-report of the number of times participants had been told they had gonorrhea by a health care provider and urine laboratory test results. Results: 360 women completed the instruments and 45% of the sample was African American, 32% was White and 15% was Latina. Mean age was 38 years (SD=11.57). Total number of self-reported gonorrhea infections ranged from 0-10 and was significantly and positively correlated with total sexual addiction scores (r = .39, p < .0001). Least squares regression predicting total number of self-reported gonorrhea infections found that sexual addiction scores and impulsivity as measured by the Eysenck Impulsivity Scale (EIS) were positive predictors and non-sexual sensation-seeking scores as measured by the Kalichman scale were negatively associated. Total variance accounted for by the regression model (R-squared) in predicting total number of gonorrhea infections was 38.7%. Conclusions: Repeat gonorrhea infections are associated with sexual addiction, non-sexual sensation-seeking, and impulsivity in women. Personality measures should be included with behavioral risk assessments for screening women at high-risk of repeat gonorrhea infections.
Learning Areas:
Social and behavioral sciences
Learning Objectives:
Describe factors associated with repeat gonorrhea infections in adult women of various ethnicities.
Identify the association of personality factors such as sexual addiction and impulsivity in repeat gonorrhea infections in adult women.
Presenting author's disclosure statement:Qualified on the content I am responsible for because: I am an Associate Professor of Health Care Administration and have been publishing on HIV/AIDS and other sexually transmitted infections for over a decade. I conceived this study and conducted the data analysis.
Any relevant financial relationships? No
I agree to comply with the American Public Health Association Conflict of Interest and Commercial Support Guidelines,
and to disclose to the participants any off-label or experimental uses of a commercial product or service discussed
in my presentation.
