Longitudinal examination of alcohol use: a predictor of risky sexual behavior and Trichomonas vaginalis among African-American female adolescents.
BACKGROUND
Alcohol use has been linked to risky sexual practices among adolescents. However, limited research on alcohol use and risky sexual behavior has been conducted on African-American female adolescents. This study examined high quantity of alcohol as a longitudinal predictor of risky sexual behavior and sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) among African-American female adolescents, a high-risk population for STDs.


METHODS
Three hundred ninety-three adolescent females, 15 to 21 years, were assessed on sociodemographics, alcohol use, and risky sexual behaviors. Participants also provided 2 swab specimens that were assayed for STDs. High quantity of alcohol use was defined as ≥ 3 drinks in 1 sitting.


RESULTS
Binary generalized estimating equation models were conducted assessing the impact of alcohol use at baseline on risky sexual behavior and STDs over a 12-month period. Age, intervention group, and baseline outcome measures were entered as covariates. The results indicated that high quantity of alcohol use predicted positive TV test results, inconsistent condom use, high sexual sensation seeking, multiple sexual partners, sex while high on alcohol or drugs, and having anal sex over a 12-month follow-up period.


CONCLUSIONS
These findings suggest that HIV/STD-related behavioral interventions for African-American adolescents should discuss the link between alcohol and HIV/STD-risk behavior. A deeper understanding is paramount to the development of efficacious prevention programs at individual and community levels.
Seth
Puja
P
Department of Behavioral Sciences and Health Education, Rollins School of Public Health, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, USA.
Sales
Jessica M
JM
DiClemente
Ralph J
RJ
Wingood
Gina M
GM
Rose
Eve
E
Patel
Shilpa N
SN
D000293:Adolescent; D000294:Adolescent Behavior; D000328:Adult; D001741:Black or African American; D000428:Alcohol Drinking / Q000453:epidemiology*; D005260:Female; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000517:prevention & control; D006801:Humans; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D012309:Risk-Taking; D012725:Sexual Behavior; D012749:Sexually Transmitted Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000517:prevention & control; D019966:Substance-Related Disorders / Q000453:epidemiology; D014247:Trichomonas Vaginitis / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000469:parasitology; D014246:Trichomonas vaginalis; D055815:Young Adult