title: Dimensions of sexual orientation and HIV-related risk among adolescent females: evidence from a statewide survey.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  We examined the relationship of 2 dimensions of sexual orientation--sexual identity and sex of partners--with self-reported behaviors and experiences to identify factors that may place adolescent females at risk of HIV/AIDS.
  
  
  METHODS
  We gathered data on sexually experienced female high school students from 4 waves of a population-based survey. We used logistic regression analyses to investigate the association between their sexual identity (3666 heterosexual; 184 lesbian, gay, or bisexual; 113 not sure) and sex of partners (3714 male only, 79 female only, and 180 both males and females) with HIV-related risk behaviors.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Self-defined sexual identity was often inconsistent with sex of sexual partners. Sexual identities other than heterosexual and having same-sex partners (either exclusively or in addition to male partners) were associated with high rates of several HIV-related risk behaviors. Coerced sexual contact was significantly associated with every risk outcome. AIDS education in school predicted lower HIV risk on 4 of 6 indicators.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Programs to prevent HIV infection among adolescent females should take into account the complexity of sexual orientation and should address the needs and behaviors of sexual-minority youths.
authors.affiliation: Massachusetts Department of Education, 350 Main St, Malden, MA 021148, USA. cgoodenow@earthlink.net
authors.forename: Carol
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Goodenow
authors.forename: Laura A
authors.initials: LA
authors.lastname: Szalacha
authors.forename: Leah E
authors.initials: LE
authors.lastname: Robin
authors.forename: Kim
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Westheimer
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D005260:Female; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000635:transmission*; D006801:Humans; D016015:Logistic Models; D008404:Massachusetts; D012309:Risk-Taking; D012725:Sexual Behavior; D012747:Sexual Partners; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires