Immigration measures and reproductive health among Hispanic youth: findings from the national longitudinal survey of youth, 1997-2003.
OBJECTIVE
To explore relationships between immigration measures and risk of reproductive and sexual events among U.S. Hispanic adolescents.


METHODS
We examined generation status, language in the home and country of origin in relation to sexual activity, contraception, and childbearing among 1614 Hispanic adolescents, using nationally representative 1997-2003 longitudinal data. Multivariable analyses controlled for potentially confounding variables. Tests for effect modification by gender and Mexican origin were conducted.


RESULTS
Fewer first generation adolescents transitioned to sexual intercourse before age 18 (odds ratio [OR]=.80, 95% confidence interval [CI]=.66-.98) and fewer first and second generation sexually active teens used contraceptives consistently at age 17 (OR=.32, 95% CI=.17-.60 and OR=.50, 95% CI=.31-.80, respectively) than third-generation teens. Language was similarly associated with the transition to sexual intercourse and contraceptive practices. Versus teens of Mexican origin, teens of Puerto Rican origin and origins other than Cuba and Central/South America had greater odds of becoming sexually active; youth of all origins except Central/South America had fewer multiple live births (OR=.14-.31). Gender modified the effects of generation on consistent use of contraceptives and condoms at age 17. Gender also modified the effect of country of origin on transitioning to sexual intercourse before age 18 years.


CONCLUSIONS
Results expand on previous observations that generation, language, and country of origin are predictors of reproductive and sexual risks for Hispanic adolescents. These immigration measures may therefore be useful in targeting community and clinical preventive services.
McDonald
Jill A
JA
Division of Reproductive Health, National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, Georgia, USA. ezm5@cdc.gov
Manlove
Jennifer
J
Ikramullah
Erum N
EN
D000069:Acculturation; D000293:Adolescent; D000294:Adolescent Behavior / Q000208:ethnology*; D000367:Age Factors; D003267:Contraception; D054242:Emigrants and Immigrants; D005260:Female; D006630:Hispanic or Latino; D006801:Humans; D016015:Logistic Models; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D008297:Male; D015999:Multivariate Analysis; D011247:Pregnancy; D011253:Pregnancy in Adolescence / Q000208:ethnology; D043762:Reproductive Behavior / Q000208:ethnology*; D012737:Sex Factors; D012725:Sexual Behavior / Q000208:ethnology*; D012749:Sexually Transmitted Diseases / Q000208:ethnology; D014481:United States