Sexual orientation disparities in sexually transmitted infection risk behaviors and risk determinants among sexually active adolescent males: results from a school-based sample.
OBJECTIVE
We examined disparities in risk determinants and risk behaviors for sexually transmitted infections (STIs) between gay-identified, bisexual-identified, and heterosexual-identified young men who have sex with men (YMSM) and heterosexual-identified young men who have sex with women (YMSW) using a school-based sample of US sexually active adolescent males.


METHODS
We analyzed a pooled data set of Youth Risk Behavior Surveys from 2005 and 2007 that included information on sexual orientation identity, sexual behaviors, and multiple STI risk factors.


RESULTS
Bisexual-identified adolescents were more likely to report multiple STI risk behaviors (number of sex partners, concurrent sex partners, and age of sexual debut) compared with heterosexual YMSW as well as heterosexual YMSM and gay-identified respondents. Gay, bisexual, and heterosexual YMSM were significantly more likely to report forced sex compared with heterosexual YMSW.


CONCLUSIONS
Our results provide evidence that sexual health disparities emerge early in the life course and vary by both sexual orientation identity and sexual behaviors. In particular, they show that bisexual-identified adolescent males exhibit a unique risk profile that warrants targeted sexual health interventions.
Bethany G. Everett is with the Department of Sociology, University of Illinois, Chicago. Phillip W. Schnarrs is with the Department of Kinesiology, Health, and Nutrition, University of Texas, San Antonio. Margaret Rosario is with the Department of Psychology, The City University of New York-The City College and Graduate Center, New York, NY. Robert Garofalo is with the Department of Pediatrics and Brian Mustanski is with the Department of Medical Social Sciences, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL.
Bethany G
BG
Everett
Phillip W
PW
Schnarrs
Margaret
M
Rosario
Robert
R
Garofalo
Brian
B
Mustanski
D000293:Adolescent; D001727:Bisexuality / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D002648:Child; D054624:Health Status Disparities; D020010:Heterosexuality / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D018451:Homosexuality, Male / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D011902:Rape / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D012307:Risk Factors; D012725:Sexual Behavior / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D012749:Sexually Transmitted Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000209:etiology; D014481:United States / Q000453:epidemiology; D047568:Unsafe Sex / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*