title: Correlates of Sexually Transmitted Infections among Adolescents Attending Public High Schools, Panama, 2015.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Sexually transmitted infections (STIs) are common in adolescents worldwide. Vulnerability to STIs increases with risky sexual practices. This study described the sexual practices, estimated the prevalence of STIs, and identified correlates associated with STIs among participants, enrolled in public high schools, in the District of Panama, Panama.
  
  
  METHODS
  A cross sectional study, using multistage cluster sampling, was conducted among participants, aged 14-18 years, enrolled in public high schools, in the District of Panama, Panama City, Panama, from August to November, 2015. Participants completed a self-administered questionnaire and provided biological samples. The samples of those reporting sexual activity (oral, vaginal, and/or anal intercourse) were tested for STIs. Odds ratios were used to identify correlates of STIs in this population.
  
  
  RESULTS
  A total of 592 participants were included, of whom, 60.8% reported a history of sexual activity, and 24.4% tested positive for least one STI. STIs were more common in female participants, (33.5%). Compared to those without STIs, higher proportions of those with at least one STI reported ≥3 sexual partners in their lifetime (60.0%) and current sexual activity (76.3%). In the multivariable model, correlates of STI included female participants (Adjusted Odds Ratio (AOR) = 5.8, 95% Confidence Interval (CI) 2.3-14.6) and those who engaged in sexual intercourse with casual partners (AOR = 3.0, 95% CI: 1.2-7.5).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  We report a high STI prevalence among adolescents attending public high schools, in the District of Panama. Reported risky sexual practices were common and correlated with STIs. Female participants and those reporting sexual intercourse with casual partners were more likely test positive for at least one STI. Our study identified a need for effective interventions to curb future infections in this population.
authors.affiliation: Departmento de Genómica y Proteómica, Instituto Conmemorativo Gorgas de Estudios de la Salud, Calle 35, Ave Justo Arosemena, Panamá, Panamá
authors.forename: Amanda
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Gabster
authors.affiliation: William Paterson University, 300 Pompton Rd, Wayne, New Jersey, 07470, United States of America.|St. Michael's Medical Center, 111 Central Avenue, Newark, New Jersey, 07102, United States of America.
authors.forename: Debbie Y
authors.initials: DY
authors.lastname: Mohammed
authors.affiliation: Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Panamá, Transístmica, Panamá, Panamá
authors.forename: Griselda B
authors.initials: GB
authors.lastname: Arteaga
authors.affiliation: Departmento de Genómica y Proteómica, Instituto Conmemorativo Gorgas de Estudios de la Salud, Calle 35, Ave Justo Arosemena, Panamá, Panamá
authors.forename: Omar
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Castillero
authors.affiliation: Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Panamá, Transístmica, Panamá, Panamá
authors.forename: Nataly
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Mojica
authors.affiliation: Departmento de Genómica y Proteómica, Instituto Conmemorativo Gorgas de Estudios de la Salud, Calle 35, Ave Justo Arosemena, Panamá, Panamá
authors.forename: José
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Dyamond
authors.affiliation: Hospital Santo Tomás, Calle 37 Este, Panamá, Panamá
authors.forename: Maria
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Varela
authors.affiliation: Departmento de Genómica y Proteómica, Instituto Conmemorativo Gorgas de Estudios de la Salud, Calle 35, Ave Justo Arosemena, Panamá, Panamá|Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Panamá, Transístmica, Panamá, Panamá
authors.forename: Juan Miguel
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Pascale