title: Perceived peer safer sex norms and sexual risk behaviors among substance-using Latino adolescents.
abstract: We investigated the association between perceived peer norms and safer sexual behaviors among substance using Latino youth. Between 2005 and 2006, cross-sectional data were collected from 92 Latino adolescents recruited from clinic- and community-based settings in two U.S. cities. Separate multivariate logistic regression models were used to assess the relationship between perceived peer norms around safer sex and two different outcomes: consistent condom use and multiple sexual partnerships. Among these participants, perceived peer norms encouraging safer sex were associated with consistent condom use even after controlling for individual- and partner-related factors. Perceived peer norms supporting safer sex were inversely associated with recently having two or more sexual partners after controlling for demographic characteristics. Perceived peer norms around safer sexual behavior contribute to a lower likelihood of engaging in two HIV/STI risk behaviors: inconsistent condom use and multiple partnering. These findings suggest that further development of peer-based interventions for Latino youth is warranted.
authors.affiliation: Department of Nutrition, Food Studies & Publich Health, New York University, New York, NY 10012, USA. farzana.kapadia@nyu.edu
authors.forename: Farzana
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Kapadia
authors.forename: Victoria
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Frye
authors.forename: Sebastian
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Bonner
authors.forename: Patricia J
authors.initials: PJ
authors.lastname: Emmanuel
authors.forename: Cathryn L
authors.initials: CL
authors.lastname: Samples
authors.forename: Mary H
authors.initials: MH
authors.lastname: Latka
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000294:Adolescent Behavior; D017280:Condoms / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D005260:Female; D005431:Florida / Q000453:epidemiology; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006630:Hispanic or Latino / Q000523:psychology / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D006801:Humans; D016015:Logistic Models; D008297:Male; D008404:Massachusetts / Q000453:epidemiology; D015999:Multivariate Analysis; D010379:Peer Group; D011247:Pregnancy; D011275:Pregnancy, Unwanted / Q000523:psychology; D012749:Sexually Transmitted Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000523:psychology; D012938:Social Perception; D012944:Social Support; D019966:Substance-Related Disorders / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000523:psychology; D047568:Unsafe Sex / Q000523:psychology / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D055815:Young Adult