title: Differences in sexual risk behaviors between lower and higher frequency alcohol-using African-American adolescent females.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  To examine differences between lower and higher frequency alcohol users in sexual behaviors and psychosocial correlates of risk for HIV among young African-American females.
  
  
  METHODS
  Data were collected from sexually active African-American females aged 15-20 years, seeking services at a STD clinic in Atlanta, GA, to assess sexual behavior, correlates of risk, and a non-disease biological marker of unprotected vaginal sex.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Number of drinking occasions was significantly related to three of four psychosocial correlates and with all self-reporting sexual behavior measures. Also, heavier drinking per occasion was associated with the presence of semen in vaginal fluid.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Non-abuse levels of drinking were related to increased sexual risk-taking in this sample of young African- American females. Incorporating messages about the intersection of alcohol use and sexual decision making into HIV/STD prevention programs would strengthen STD prevention messaging in this vulnerable population.
authors: Jessica McDermott
authors: JM
authors: Sales
authors: Jennifer L
authors: JL
authors: Monahan
authors: Carolyn
authors: C
authors: Brooks
authors: Ralph J
authors: RJ
authors: DiClemente
authors: Eve
authors: E
authors: Rose
authors: Rollins School of Public Health at Emory University, Department of Behavioral Sciences and Health Education, 1518 Clifton Rd., NE, Room 570, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA. jmcderm@emory.edu.
authors: Jennifer A
authors: JA
authors: Samp
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D001741:Black or African American; D000428:Alcohol Drinking / Q000009:adverse effects*; D000437:Alcoholism / Q000150:complications*; D005260:Female; D005845:Georgia; D006801:Humans; D012309:Risk-Taking; D012725:Sexual Behavior / Q000187:drug effects*; D055815:Young Adult