title: Parental communication as a protective factor in increasing condom use among minority adolescents.
abstract: The purpose of this study was to examine ethnic differences in risk behaviors among adolescents who attended family planning clinics and to evaluate the impact of parental communication regarding sexual topics on adolescent condom use. The sample for this study included 697 black and Hispanic female adolescents ranging in age from 13-22 years. Ethnic differences were found in sexually transmitted infection rates, number of sexual partners, and condom use. Although black adolescents were more likely than Hispanic adolescents to report recent condom use, Black adolescents reported higher rates of sexually transmitted infections and more sexual partners. Black adolescents reported more parental communication about sexual topics than Hispanic adolescents. Parental communication was associated with increased condom use. The results of this study emphasize the importance of parental communication in risk reduction among adolescents. As ethnicity emerged in the study as a significant factor, interventions aimed at increasing parent-adolescent communication will have to be tailored to address the needs of specific ethnic groups.
authors.affiliation: Population Program, Baylor College of Medicine and Graduate College of Social Work, University of Houston, Houston, Texas 77030, USA. rbuzi@bcm.edu
authors.forename: Ruth S
authors.initials: RS
authors.lastname: Buzi
authors.forename: Peggy B
authors.initials: PB
authors.lastname: Smith
authors.forename: Maxine L
authors.initials: ML
authors.lastname: Weinman
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001741:Black or African American / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D017280:Condoms / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D005193:Family Planning Services / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D005260:Female; D015438:Health Behavior; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006306:Health Surveys; D006630:Hispanic or Latino / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008913:Minority Groups; D010290:Parents; D034121:Reproductive Health Services / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D012111:Residence Characteristics; D012307:Risk Factors; D040242:Risk Reduction Behavior; D012309:Risk-Taking; D012749:Sexually Transmitted Diseases / Q000517:prevention & control*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014481:United States; D055815:Young Adult