title: Predictors of Sexual Activity in Haitian-American Adolescents.
abstract: This study examined the impact of individual, peer, family, school, and neighborhood level variables on sexual activity among 276 Haitian-American adolescents. Differences between those who were sexually active and those who were not were analyzed using Chi square and t tests. Significant factors at p ≤ 0.1 were entered into logistic regression for the full group and for girls-only. Half of males and 36.6 % of females were sexually active. The multivariable model revealed that adolescents were more likely to be sexually active if they reported delinquent behaviors; had sexually active friends; and were living with only one parent, friends or relatives. For girls, living with both parents was protective against sexual activity, while substance use and emotional distress were risk factors. No language or acculturation measures were associated with sexual activity. Haitian-American adolescents may benefit from interventions that focus on gender-specific, contextual and cultural factors to prevent early sexual activity.
authors.affiliation: Robert Stempel College of Public Health and Social Work, Department of Health Promotion and Disease Prevention, Florida International University, Biscayne Bay Campus, 3000 NE 151 Street-ACI #260, Miami, FL, 33181, USA. devieuxj@fiu.edu.
authors.forename: Jessy G
authors.initials: JG
authors.lastname: Dévieux
authors.affiliation: Robert Stempel College of Public Health and Social Work, Department of Health Promotion and Disease Prevention, Florida International University, Biscayne Bay Campus, 3000 NE 151 Street-ACI #260, Miami, FL, 33181, USA. gillesm@fiu.edu.
authors.forename: Michèle
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Jean-Gilles
authors.affiliation: Temple University, 1301 Cecil B. Moore Avenue Ritter Annex, 9th Floor, Philadelphia, PA, 19122, USA. anne.frankel@temple.edu.
authors.forename: Anne
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Frankel
authors.affiliation: Robert Stempel College of Public Health and Social Work, Department of Health Promotion and Disease Prevention, Florida International University, Biscayne Bay Campus, 3000 NE 151 Street-ACI #260, Miami, FL, 33181, USA. jatto001@fiu.edu.
authors.forename: Jennifer
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Attonito
authors.affiliation: Robert Stempel College of Public Health and Social Work, Department of Health Promotion and Disease Prevention, Florida International University, Biscayne Bay Campus, 3000 NE 151 Street-ACI #260, Miami, FL, 33181, USA. asaxe002@fiu.edu.
authors.forename: Anshul
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Saxena
authors.affiliation: Robert Stempel College of Public Health and Social Work, Department of Health Promotion and Disease Prevention, Florida International University, Biscayne Bay Campus, 3000 NE 151 Street-ACI #260, Miami, FL, 33181, USA. rosenr@fiu.edu.
authors.forename: Rhonda
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Rosenberg
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000294:Adolescent Behavior; D054242:Emigrants and Immigrants / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D005195:Family Relations; D005260:Female; D006205:Haiti / Q000208:ethnology; D006801:Humans; D016015:Logistic Models; D008297:Male; D012111:Residence Characteristics; D012307:Risk Factors; D012737:Sex Factors; D012725:Sexual Behavior / Q000208:ethnology*; D013315:Stress, Psychological / Q000208:ethnology; D019966:Substance-Related Disorders / Q000208:ethnology; D014481:United States / Q000453:epidemiology
keywords: Adolescent; Gender; Haitian-American; Risk; Sexual activity