Age-bridging among young, urban, heterosexual males with asymptomatic Chlamydia trachomatis.
OBJECTIVE
To determine the prevalence of age-bridgers among urban males aged 14-24 years, asymptomatically infected with chlamydia and to determine factors that distinguish age-bridgers from non age-bridgers. An index was defined as an age-bridger if within 2 months, he had had at least two sexual partners who differed from him in age by > or =2 years.


METHODS
Infected males provided data about themselves and up to four sexual partners in the past 2 months. Bivariate and multivariable logistic regression was used in the analysis.


RESULTS
The prevalence of age bridging was 21% in Baltimore and 26% in Denver. In both cities, in bivariate analysis, age-bridgers and their partners engaged in significantly more risky sexual behaviours. In adjusted multivariable analysis after controlling for number of sexual partners, age bridging was associated with having a sexual partner in the past 2 months, who, at time of last sexual intercourse, was drinking.


CONCLUSIONS
Age-bridgers represented major proportions of the study populations and, along with their sexual partners, were more likely to engage in risky sexual behaviours. Male age-bridgers may be key players in the transmission of sexually transmitted infections among youth linking age-disparate sexual networks.
Jennings
Jacky M
JM
Department of Pediatrics, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Bayview Medical Center, 5200 Eastern Avenue, Mason F Lord Building-Center Towers, 4th Floor, Baltimore, MD 21224, USA. jajennin@jhmi.edu
Luo
Robert F
RF
Lloyd
Laura V
LV
Gaydos
Charlotte
C
Ellen
Jonathan M
JM
Rietmeijer
Cornelis A
CA
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D001900:Boston / Q000453:epidemiology; D002690:Chlamydia Infections / Q000453:epidemiology*; D002692:Chlamydia trachomatis; D003075:Coitus; D003120:Colorado / Q000453:epidemiology; D020010:Heterosexuality / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D012044:Regression Analysis; D012747:Sexual Partners; D019966:Substance-Related Disorders / Q000453:epidemiology; D014504:Urban Health