scholarly journals Gender differences in sexual risk behaviours and sexually transmissible infections among adolescents in mental health treatment

Sexual Health ◽  
2012 ◽  
Vol 9 (3) ◽  
pp. 240 ◽  
Author(s):  
Puja Seth ◽  
Delia L. Lang ◽  
Ralph J. DiClemente ◽  
Nikia D. Braxton ◽  
Richard A. Crosby ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Gender Differences ◽  
Sexual Risk ◽  
Mental Health Treatment ◽  
Female Adolescents ◽  
Risk Behaviours ◽  
Health Treatment ◽  
Hiv Test ◽  
Sexually Transmissible Infections ◽  
Sexual Risk Behaviours

Background Adolescents with a history of psychiatric disorder(s) are particularly vulnerable to contracting sexually transmissible infections (STIs) as a result of psychological and emotional states associated with higher rates of risky sexual behaviour. The present study examined gender differences in sexual risk behaviours and STI among adolescents in mental health treatment. Methods: Three hundred and seventy nine sexually active adolescents, aged 13–18 years, from a larger multisite study, who received mental health treatment during the past year, completed an audio computer-assisted self interview assessing sociodemographics, psychiatric symptomatology and HIV/STI risk behaviours, and provided urine specimens tested for STI. Results: After controlling for covariates, multivariate logistic regression models indicated that female adolescents were more likely to have had an HIV test (adjusted odds ratio (AOR) = 3.2, P = 0.0001), obtain their HIV test results (AOR = 2.9, P = 0.03), refuse sex out of fear for STI acquisition (AOR = 1.7, P = 0.04), or avoid a situation that might lead to sex (AOR = 2.4, P = 0.001), and were less likely to have a casual sex partner (AOR = 0.40, P = 0.002). Additionally, females were more likely to report inconsistent condom use (AOR = 2.60, P = 0.001) and have a STI (AOR = 9.1, P = 0.0001) than their male counterparts. Conclusions: Female adolescents receiving mental health treatment were more than nine times as likely to have an STI and more likely to use condoms inconsistently. The standard of care for mental health practice for adolescents should include referrals for STI screening and treatment as well as assessment and discussion of risky sexual behaviours as part of the treatment plan when indicated. Effective programs should address gender-specific communication and behavioural skills.

The effect of drug and sexual risk behaviours with social network and non-network members on homeless youths' sexually transmissible infections and HIV testing

Sexual Health ◽  
2010 ◽  
Vol 7 (4) ◽  
pp. 434 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kimberly Tyler ◽  
Lisa Melander
Keyword(s):  
Social Network ◽  
Hiv Testing ◽  
Sexual Risk ◽  
Risk Behaviours ◽  
Cross Sectional Survey ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Sexually Transmissible Infections ◽  
Unit Increase ◽  
Key Factor ◽  
Sexual Risk Behaviours

Background: The study examined whether engaging in drug and sexual risk behaviours with social network and non-network members (strangers) differentially affected the decision to test for sexually transmissible infections (STIs) and HIV. Methods: A cross-sectional survey was conducted among 249 homeless youths aged 14–21 years. Results: Multivariate analyses revealed that females were over three times more likely than males to test for STIs (adjusted odds ratio (AOR) = 3.34; 95% confidence interval (CI) = 1.54–7.25). For every one unit increase in age, there was a 37% increase in the likelihood of having tested for STIs (AOR = 1.37; 95% CI = 1.12–1.68). Youths who had sex after using alcohol and drugs with strangers were approximately 3.5 times more likely to have tested for STIs (AOR = 3.45; 95% CI = 1.38–8.61). For every one unit increase in age, there was a 26% increase in the likelihood of having tested for HIV (AOR = 1.26; 95% CI = 1.05–1.51). Youths who had sex with a stranger after using alcohol or drugs were over three times more likely to test for HIV (AOR = 3.22; 95% CI = 1.42–7.31). No social network variables reached significance for STI or HIV testing. Conclusions: Being older and engaging in drug and sexual risk behaviours with strangers are important correlates of STI and HIV testing. Females are more likely than males to be tested for STIs. Engaging in risky behaviours with social network members was not a key factor in deciding whether to be tested.

scholarly journals Psychiatric disorders and sexual risk among adolescents in mental health treatment.

2010 ◽  
Vol 78 (4) ◽  
pp. 590-597 ◽  
Author(s):  
Larry K. Brown ◽  
Wendy Hadley ◽  
Angela Stewart ◽  
Celia Lescano ◽  
Laura Whiteley ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Psychiatric Disorders ◽  
Sexual Risk ◽  
Mental Health Treatment ◽  
Health Treatment

scholarly journals Poor mental health and sexual risk behaviours in Uganda: A cross-sectional population-based study

2011 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Patric Lundberg ◽  
Godfrey Rukundo ◽  
Schola Ashaba ◽  
Anna Thorson ◽  
Peter Allebeck ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Sexual Risk ◽  
Population Based ◽  
Poor Mental Health ◽  
Risk Behaviours ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Population Based Study ◽  
Sexual Risk Behaviours

scholarly journals Associations Between Psychiatric Impairment and Sexual Risk Behavior Among Teens in Mental Health Treatment

2013 ◽  
Vol 13 (2) ◽  
pp. 198-213 ◽  
Author(s):  
Wendy Hadley ◽  
David H. Barker ◽  
Celia M. Lescano ◽  
Angela J. Stewart ◽  
Katelyn Affleck ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Risk Behavior ◽  
Sexual Risk ◽  
Sexual Risk Behavior ◽  
Mental Health Treatment ◽  
Health Treatment

Anal sex is a behavioural marker for laboratory-confirmed vaginal sexually transmissible infections and HIV-associated risk among African-American female adolescents

Sexual Health ◽  
2009 ◽  
Vol 6 (2) ◽  
pp. 111 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ralph J. DiClemente ◽  
Gina M. Wingood ◽  
Richard A. Crosby ◽  
Laura F. Salazar ◽  
Sara Head ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
African American ◽  
Sexual Risk ◽  
Statistical Significance ◽  
Nucleic Acid Amplification ◽  
Sexual History ◽  
African American Females ◽  
Risk Behaviours ◽  
Anal Sex ◽  
Sexually Transmissible Infections ◽  
Sexual Risk Behaviours

Background: African-American females are disproportionately affected by HIV and sexually transmissible infections (STIs). The prevalence of anal sex and its association with other sexual risk behaviours is understudied in this population. Methods: Participants were 715 African-American females, 15 to 21 years old, who had reported sexual activity in the previous 60 days. Data collection included an audiocomputer assisted self-interview (ACASI) and a self-collected vaginal swab specimen assayed using nucleic acid amplification tests to detect the presence of Chlamydia trachomatis and Neisseria gonorrhoeae, and real-time polymerase chain reaction assay to detect Trichomonas vaginalis. Results: Approximately 10.5% reported anal sex, at least once, during the 60 days before completing the computerised baseline assessment. The prevalence of any STI was significantly greater among adolescents reporting recent anal sex (40% tested positive for at least one of three laboratory-confirmed STIs) relative to those adolescents not reporting anal sex (27.5% STI prevalence). Of the 10 outcomes comprising the sexual risk profile, seven achieved bivariate significance, with each of the differences indicating greater risk for those recently engaging in anal sex. In multivariable controlled analyses, six of the seven measures retained statistical significance. Conclusions: African-American adolescent females who engage in penile-anal sex may experience an elevated risk of vaginally-acquired STIs. The findings suggest that, among those having penile-anal sex, several HIV/STI-associated sexual risk behaviours are significantly more prevalent. Thus, penile-anal sex may be an important proxy of overall sexual risk behaviours and can be readily assessed during paediatrician visits as part of a sexual history.

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