title: What are we missing? Risk behaviors among Arab-American adolescents and emerging adults.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Research on Arab-Americans as a distinct ethnic group is limited, especially when considering the health of Arab-American youth. This study describes health risk (substance use, violence); health promotive behaviors (hope, spirituality); and sexual activity (oral, vaginal, anal sex) of Arab-American adolescents and emerging adults (aged 15-23) within their life context, as well as the association between these behaviors.
  
  
  METHODS
  A secondary analysis of data on a subset of Arab-American participants obtained from a randomized-control trial was utilized to conduct mixed methods analyses. Qualitative analyses completed on the open-ended questions used the constant comparative method for a subsample (n = 24) of participants. Descriptive quantitative analyses of survey data utilized bivariate analyses and stepwise logistic regression to explore the relation between risk behaviors and sexual activity among the full sample (n = 57).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Qualitative analyses revealed two groups of participants: (a) multiple risk behaviors and negative life-events, and (b) minimal risk behaviors and positive life-events. Quantitative analyses indicated older youth, smokers, and those with higher hope pathways were more likely to report vaginal sex.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The unique cultural and social contexts of Arab-American youth provide a framework for recommendations for the prevention of risk behaviors.
authors.affiliation: Department of Health Behavior and Biological Sciences, University of Michigan School of Nursing, Ann Arbor, Michigan.
authors.forename: Michelle L
authors.initials: ML
authors.lastname: Munro-Kramer
authors.affiliation: School of Social Work, Florida International Institute Robert Stempel College of Public Health & Social Work, Miami, Florida.
authors.forename: Nicole M
authors.initials: NM
authors.lastname: Fava
authors.affiliation: Child and Family Health, University of Minnesota School of Nursing, Minneapolis, Minnesota.
authors.forename: Melissa A
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Saftner
authors.affiliation: Department of Health Behavior and Biological Sciences, University of Michigan School of Nursing, Ann Arbor, Michigan.
authors.forename: Cynthia S
authors.initials: CS
authors.lastname: Darling-Fisher
authors.affiliation: Wayne State University College of Nursing, Detroit, Michigan.
authors.forename: Nutrena H
authors.initials: NH
authors.lastname: Tate
authors.affiliation: Department of Systems, Populations, and Leadership, University of Michigan School of Nursing, Ann Arbor, Michigan.
authors.forename: Sarah A
authors.initials: SA
authors.lastname: Stoddard
authors.affiliation: Emory University Nell Hodgson Woodruff School of Nursing, Atlanta, Georgia.
authors.forename: Kristy K
authors.initials: KK
authors.lastname: Martyn
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D018912:Arabs / Q000523:psychology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D016015:Logistic Models; D008297:Male; D036301:Qualitative Research; D018570:Risk Assessment; D012309:Risk-Taking; D012725:Sexual Behavior / Q000208:ethnology*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014481:United States / Q000208:ethnology; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: Adolescents; cultural assessment; health assessment; health promotion; prevention