Perceptions about sexual concurrency and factors related to inaccurate perceptions among pregnant adolescents and their partners.
BACKGROUND
Inaccurate perceptions about whether a partner has concurrent sexual partners are associated with current sexually transmitted infections status. Despite high sexually transmitted infection rates among pregnant adolescents, studies have not investigated the accuracy of perceptions about sexual concurrency among young pregnant adolescents. The objectives were to assess (1) the accuracy of perceptions about whether one's partner ever had concurrent sexual partners during the relationship and (2) whether self-reported concurrency and relationship factors are related to inaccurate perceptions.


METHODS
Sociodemographic, psychosocial, and sexual behavior data were collected from 296 couples recruited from antenatal clinics. Couples included pregnant adolescents, aged 14 to 21 years, and the father of the baby, aged ≥ 14 years. Percentage agreement and κ statistics assessed the accuracy of perceptions about whether one's partner ever had concurrent sexual partners during the relationship. Logistic regression models using generalized estimating equations assessed associations between respondents' self-reported concurrency, relationship factors, and inaccurate perceptions.


RESULTS
Among participants whose partner was concurrent (n = 171), 60% did not accurately report their partner's concurrency, and greater relationship satisfaction (adjusted odds ratio [AOR]: 1.54) increased the likelihood of inaccuracy. Among participants with a nonconcurrent partner (n = 418), 17% were inaccurate; self-reported concurrency (AOR: 2.69) and greater partnership duration (AOR: 1.25) increased the likelihood of inaccuracy, whereas greater relationship satisfaction decreased the likelihood of inaccuracy (AOR: 0.68).


CONCLUSIONS
Many pregnant adolescents and their partners inaccurately perceived their partner's concurrency status. Self-reported concurrency and relationship factors were associated with inaccuracy, reinforcing the need to improve sexual communication among this population.
Department of Population, Family and Reproductive Health, Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA. aswartze@jhsph.edu
Andrea
A
Swartzendruber
Linda M
LM
Niccolai
Jacky M
JM
Jennings
Jonathan M
JM
Zenilman
Anna A
AA
Divney
Urania
U
Magriples
Trace S
TS
Kershaw
D000293:Adolescent; D005260:Female; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D008297:Male; D010465:Perception; D011247:Pregnancy; D012307:Risk Factors; D057566:Self Report; D012725:Sexual Behavior / Q000523:psychology / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D012747:Sexual Partners / Q000523:psychology; D012749:Sexually Transmitted Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000517:prevention & control* / Q000523:psychology; D014481:United States / Q000453:epidemiology; D055815:Young Adult