Multilevel predictors of inconsistent condom use among adolescent mothers.
OBJECTIVE
We used Bronfenbrenner's ecological systems theory to identify factors that predicted never or sometimes using condoms in a multiethnic cohort of adolescent mothers.


METHODS
We interviewed adolescent mothers within 48 hours of delivery and surveyed them 6 and 12 months after delivery (n = 636). We used multinomial logistic regression to identify individual-, dyad-, family-, and peer and community-level factors associated with never or sometimes using versus always using condoms during intercourse at 12 months postpartum.


RESULTS
Pregnancy status, partner refusal to use condoms, intimate partner violence, and race/ethnicity predicted both never and sometimes using condoms. Condom use 6 months earlier and church attendance also predicted never using condoms, whereas maternal monitoring was an additional predictor for sometimes using condoms.


CONCLUSIONS
Overlapping yet distinct risk profiles predicted never or sometimes using versus always using condoms. Factors from multiple levels of influence affected the condom use behaviors of adolescent mothers indicating that multilevel interventions are needed to promote safer sexual practices among these young women.
Department of Pediatrics, Section of Adolescent Medicine & Sports Medicine, Baylor College of Medicine, 6621 Fannin Street, Mail Station CC610.01, Houston, TX 77030-2399, USA.
Bethanie S
BS
Van Horne
Constance M
CM
Wiemann
Abbey B
AB
Berenson
Irwin B
IB
Horwitz
Robert J
RJ
Volk
D000293:Adolescent; D000294:Adolescent Behavior; D017280:Condoms / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007407:Interviews as Topic; D009035:Mothers; D016017:Odds Ratio; D012725:Sexual Behavior; D012944:Social Support