Oral contraceptive use may not preclude condom use: a study of non-pregnant African-American adolescent females.
OBJECTIVE
To determine the association between oral contraceptive and condom use, and laboratory-confirmed sexually transmitted infection (STI) among African-American adolescent females at a high risk of STI acquisition.


METHODS
A cross-sectional study of 715 African-American adolescent females (15-21 years old) was conducted. Data collection included (a) an audio-computer-assisted self-interview and a self-collected vaginal swab for nucleic acid amplification testing of Trichomonas vaginalis, Chlamydia trachomatis and Neisseria gonorrhoeae.


RESULTS
The age-adjusted odds ratio (AOR) indicated a modest protective effect of oral contraceptive use against unprotected vaginal sex (UVS) using a 60-day recall period (AOR = 0.66; 95% CI 0.43 to 0.99). The age-adjusted difference in mean frequency of UVS in the past 60 days was non-significant (p = 0.23) as was condom use at last sex (p = 0.34). The age-AOR relative to STI prevalence also showed a protective effect (AOR = 0.60; 95% CI 0.36 to 0.98) for those using oral contraceptives.


CONCLUSIONS
The findings suggest that the use of oral contraceptives may not preclude safer sex practices for the prevention of STIs among high-risk African-American adolescent females.
Crosby
Richard A
RA
Department of Health Behavior, College of Public Health, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY 40506-0003, USA. crosby@uky.edu
DiClemente
Ralph J
RJ
Wingood
Gina M
GM
Salazar
Laura F
LF
Rose
Eve
E
Sales
Jessica M
JM
Caliendo
Angela M
AM
D000293:Adolescent; D001741:Black or African American / Q000523:psychology*; D017280:Condoms / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D003276:Contraceptives, Oral / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D012044:Regression Analysis; D012307:Risk Factors; D012747:Sexual Partners; D012749:Sexually Transmitted Diseases / Q000517:prevention & control* / Q000523:psychology; D047568:Unsafe Sex; D014626:Vaginal Smears
D003276:Contraceptives, Oral