title: Place and sexual partnership transition among young American Indian and Alaska native women.
abstract: Multiple challenges expose American Indian and Alaska Native (AIAN) women to high-risk sexual partnerships and increased risk for HIV/STI. Using a unique sample of sexually-active young AIAN women (n = 129), we examined characteristics of last three partners and whether transitional partnerships were associated with different risk profiles, including where partners met, lived, and had sex. Respondents were more likely to have met their previous or current secondary partner (P2) at a friend's or family setting (versus work or social setting) (AOR = 3.92; 95 % CI 1.31, 11.70). Condom use was less likely when meeting a partner at friend's or family settings (AOR = 0.17; 95 % CI 0.05, 0.59). Sexual intercourse with P2 (compared to P1) usually took place in "riskier" settings such as a car, bar, or outside (AOR = 4.15; 95 % CI 1.59, 10.68). Perceived "safe" places, e.g., friend's or family's house, were identified with risky behaviors; thus, homogeneous messaging campaigns may promote a false sense of safety.
authors.affiliation: Indigenous Wellness Research Institute, School of Social Work, University of Washington, Box 354900, Seattle, WA, 98105-6299, USA, pearsonc@u.washington.edu.
authors.forename: Cynthia R
authors.initials: CR
authors.lastname: Pearson
authors.forename: Susan
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Cassels
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000413:Alaska; D017280:Condoms / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D007198:Indians, North American / Q000523:psychology; D007398:Interpersonal Relations; D008019:Life Style; D011159:Population Surveillance; D011606:Psychosexual Development; D012309:Risk-Taking; D020377:Self Efficacy; D012725:Sexual Behavior / Q000208:ethnology / Q000523:psychology; D012747:Sexual Partners / Q000523:psychology; D012919:Social Behavior; D012923:Social Class; D012931:Social Environment; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D019966:Substance-Related Disorders