title: Family and peer support matter for precoital and coital behaviors among adolescents in Lima.
abstract: We analyzed the association between sub-scales developed with adolescents and the outcomes of precoital behaviors and vaginal sex in Lima, Peru. Adolescent participants in key informant sessions operationalized concepts identified during qualitative concept mapping into several sub-scales. Face and content validity testing and pilot application with respondent debriefing were used to refine the sub-scales. Three hundred 15-17 year olds were surveyed about the sub-scales, socio-demographics and sexual behaviors. Exploratory factor analysis confirmed six sub-scales, self-image, goals and decision-making, family education, parental rules/control, school support and peer support, which we regressed on the outcomes. Twice as many males as females reported more than three precoital behaviors and vaginal sex. Higher peer support reduced the likelihood of vaginal sex and precoital behaviors and higher family education reduced precoital behaviors. Results affirm the importance of including adolescents in the entire research process and of sex education with family- and peer-based strategies.
authors.affiliation: Division of Infectious Diseases, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, United States; School of Public Health and Administration, Universidad Peruana Cayetano Heredia, Lima, Peru. Electronic address: abayer@mednet.ucla.edu.
authors.forename: Angela M
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Bayer
authors.affiliation: Biomedical Research Unit, Asociación Benéfica Proyectos en Informática, Salud, Medicina y Agricultura (AB PRISMA), Lima, Peru.
authors.forename: Lilia Z
authors.initials: LZ
authors.lastname: Cabrera
authors.affiliation: Department of International Health, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD, United States.
authors.forename: Robert H
authors.initials: RH
authors.lastname: Gilman
authors.affiliation: Department of Population, Family and Reproductive Health, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD, United States.
authors.forename: Michelle J
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: Hindin
authors.affiliation: Department of Population, Family and Reproductive Health, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD, United States.
authors.forename: Amy O
authors.initials: AO
authors.lastname: Tsui
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000367:Age Factors; D003075:Coitus / Q000523:psychology; D005190:Family / Q000523:psychology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D010379:Peer Group; D010568:Peru; D012737:Sex Factors; D012725:Sexual Behavior / Q000208:ethnology / Q000523:psychology* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D012944:Social Support
keywords: Adolescents; Peru; Precoital behaviors; Scales; Sexual behaviors; Sexual initiation