title: Risky sexual behavior in low-income African American women: the impact of sexual health variables.
abstract: In a sample of 163 low-income African American women, we used logistic regression analyses to test for associations between (a) 5 operationalized constructs theorized in the Sexual Health Model to impact one's overall sexual health (barriers to healthy sexuality, sexual anatomy and functioning, positive sexuality, sexual health care, and cultural identity) and (b) several measures of risky sexual behavior (consistent condom use, multiple concurrent partnerships, and overall sexual risk). No significant relationship was found between acculturation and risky sexual behaviors. Having sexual difficulties was positively associated with overall sexual risk and multiple concurrent partnerships. Favorable attitudes toward condoms were positively associated with consistent condom use. Desiring or intending pregnancy was positively associated with inconsistent condom use and overall sexual risk behavior This is only the second study linking sexual difficulties and risky sexual behavior The exact nature of this correlational relationship needs to be studied and replicated in different and more heterogeneous populations.
authors.affiliation: Program in Human Sexuality, Department of Family Practice and Community Health, University of Minnesota Medical School, Minneapolis, MN 55454, USA. brobinsn@umphysicians.umn.edu
authors.forename: Beatrice Bean E
authors.initials: BB
authors.lastname: Robinson
authors.forename: Karen
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Scheltema
authors.forename: Tonya
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Cherry
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001741:Black or African American / Q000523:psychology*; D017280:Condoms / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D005260:Female; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000208:ethnology / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000523:psychology; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D011203:Poverty / Q000208:ethnology / Q000523:psychology*; D011247:Pregnancy; D020377:Self Efficacy; D012735:Sexual Dysfunction, Physiological / Q000208:ethnology / Q000523:psychology; D012747:Sexual Partners / Q000523:psychology; D012749:Sexually Transmitted Diseases / Q000208:ethnology / Q000523:psychology; D013223:Statistics as Topic; D047568:Unsafe Sex / Q000208:ethnology / Q000523:psychology*; D055815:Young Adult