title: Substance use and sexual risk behaviors among american Indian and alaska native high school students.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  We describe the prevalence of behaviors that put American Indian and Alaska Native (AI/AN) high school students at risk for teen pregnancy and sexually transmitted infections (STIs) and the relationships among race/ethnicity and these behaviors.
  
  
  METHODS
  We analyzed merged 2007 and 2009 data from the national Youth Risk Behavior Survey, a biennial, self-administered, school-based survey of US students in grades 9-12 (N = 27,912). Prevalence estimates and logistic regression, controlling for sex and grade, were used to examine the associations between race/ethnicity, and substance use, and sexual risk behaviors.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Of the 26 variables studied, the adjusted odds ratios (AOR) were higher among AI/AN than White students for 18 variables (ranging from 1.4 to 2.3), higher among AI/AN than Black students for 13 variables (ranging from 1.4 to 4.2), and higher among AI/AN than Hispanic students for 5 variables (ranging from 1.4 to 1.5). Odds were lower among AI/AN than Black students for many of the sexual risk-related behaviors.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The data suggest it is necessary to develop targeted, adolescent-specific interventions aimed at reducing behaviors that put AI/AN high school students at risk for teen pregnancy, STI/HIV, and other health conditions.
authors: Public Health Advisor, (leb8@cdc.gov), Division of Reproductive Health, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 4770 Buford Hwy, NE, MS F-74, Atlanta, GA 30341-3717.
authors: Lori
authors: L
authors: de Ravello
authors: Sherry
authors: S
authors: Everett Jones
authors: Scott
authors: S
authors: Tulloch
authors: Melanie
authors: M
authors: Taylor
authors: Sonal
authors: S
authors: Doshi
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000294:Adolescent Behavior / Q000208:ethnology; D000413:Alaska / Q000453:epidemiology; D005260:Female; D015438:Health Behavior / Q000208:ethnology; D006801:Humans; D007198:Indians, North American / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D004930:Inuit / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D016015:Logistic Models; D008297:Male; D011159:Population Surveillance; D015995:Prevalence; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012309:Risk-Taking; D012736:Sex Education / Q000458:organization & administration; D012725:Sexual Behavior / Q000208:ethnology*; D013334:Students / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D019966:Substance-Related Disorders / Q000208:ethnology*
keywords: American Indian/Alaska Native; Indians; Native American; North America; Youth Risk Behavior Surveillance System; sexual behavior; substance use