Susan Cha1, Saba W Masho1,2,3, Briana Mezuk1,4. 1. a Department of Family Medicine and Population Health , School of Medicine, Virginia Commonwealth University , Richmond , Virginia , USA. 2. b Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, School of Medicine , Virginia Commonwealth University , Richmond , Virginia , USA. 3. c Institute for Women's Health , Virginia Commonwealth University , Richmond , Virginia , USA. 4. d Virginia Institute for Psychiatric and Behavioral Genetics , Virginia Commonwealth University , Richmond , Virginia , USA.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Understanding the interrelationships between risky health behaviors is critical for health promotion efforts. Conceptual frameworks for understanding substance misuse (e.g. stepping-stone models) have not yet widely incorporated other risky behaviors, including those related to sexual health. OBJECTIVES: The goals of this study were to assess the relationship between early sexual debut and cannabis use, examine the role of licit substance use in this association, and evaluate differences by gender and race/ethnicity. METHODS: Data came from the National Comorbidity Survey-Replication (NCS-R). Primary analysis was restricted to respondents who reported sexual debut at ≥12 years (n = 5,036). Age at sexual debut was categorized as early (<18 years), average (18 years) and late (>18 years). Logistic regression was used to assess the relationship between age at sexual debut and cannabis use. Interaction terms were used to evaluate effect modification by gender and race/ethnicity. RESULTS: Later age of sexual debut was associated with lower odds of cannabis use relative to the average age of debut (AOR = 0.50, 95% CI = 0.37-0.66). For every year that respondents delayed their sexual debut, the relative odds of lifetime cannabis use declined by 17%. After accounting for alcohol and tobacco use the association between early sexual debut and cannabis was attenuated (AOR = 0.90, 95% CI = 0.68-1.20), while later age of debut remained protective (AOR = 0.57, 95% CI = 0.42-0.78). Results were generally consistent across race/ethnicity and gender. CONCLUSIONS: Multifactorial intervention strategies targeting both sexual health and substance use may be warranted.
BACKGROUND: Understanding the interrelationships between risky health behaviors is critical for health promotion efforts. Conceptual frameworks for understanding substance misuse (e.g. stepping-stone models) have not yet widely incorporated other risky behaviors, including those related to sexual health. OBJECTIVES: The goals of this study were to assess the relationship between early sexual debut and cannabis use, examine the role of licit substance use in this association, and evaluate differences by gender and race/ethnicity. METHODS: Data came from the National Comorbidity Survey-Replication (NCS-R). Primary analysis was restricted to respondents who reported sexual debut at ≥12 years (n = 5,036). Age at sexual debut was categorized as early (<18 years), average (18 years) and late (>18 years). Logistic regression was used to assess the relationship between age at sexual debut and cannabis use. Interaction terms were used to evaluate effect modification by gender and race/ethnicity. RESULTS: Later age of sexual debut was associated with lower odds of cannabis use relative to the average age of debut (AOR = 0.50, 95% CI = 0.37-0.66). For every year that respondents delayed their sexual debut, the relative odds of lifetime cannabis use declined by 17%. After accounting for alcohol and tobacco use the association between early sexual debut and cannabis was attenuated (AOR = 0.90, 95% CI = 0.68-1.20), while later age of debut remained protective (AOR = 0.57, 95% CI = 0.42-0.78). Results were generally consistent across race/ethnicity and gender. CONCLUSIONS: Multifactorial intervention strategies targeting both sexual health and substance use may be warranted.
Entities:
Keywords:
Cannabis; marijuana; risky behaviors; sexual debut; sexual initiation; substance use
Authors: Michael M Vanyukov; Ralph E Tarter; Galina P Kirillova; Levent Kirisci; Maureen D Reynolds; Mary Jeanne Kreek; Kevin P Conway; Brion S Maher; William G Iacono; Laura Bierut; Michael C Neale; Duncan B Clark; Ty A Ridenour Journal: Drug Alcohol Depend Date: 2012-01-18 Impact factor: 4.492
Authors: Aubrey S Madkour; Tilda Farhat; Carolyn T Halpern; Emmanuelle Godeau; Saoirse N Gabhainn Journal: J Adolesc Health Date: 2010-04-28 Impact factor: 5.012
Authors: P A Mårdh; G Creatsas; S Guaschino; D Hellberg; J Henry-Suchet Journal: Eur J Contracept Reprod Health Care Date: 2000-09 Impact factor: 1.848
Authors: Shanta R Dube; Vincent J Felitti; Maxia Dong; Daniel P Chapman; Wayne H Giles; Robert F Anda Journal: Pediatrics Date: 2003-03 Impact factor: 7.124
Authors: Debora L Oh; Julia E Heck; Carolyn Dresler; Shane Allwright; Margaretha Haglund; Sara S Del Mazo; Eva Kralikova; Isabelle Stucker; Elizabeth Tamang; Ellen R Gritz; Mia Hashibe Journal: BMC Public Health Date: 2010-02-17 Impact factor: 3.295
Authors: Perry N Halkitis; Caleb LoSchiavo; Richard J Martino; Blas Martin De La Cruz; Christopher B Stults; Kristen D Krause Journal: J Sex Res Date: 2020-07-01
Authors: Eshan U Patel; Jodie L White; Charlotte A Gaydos; Thomas C Quinn; Shruti H Mehta; Aaron A R Tobian Journal: Sex Transm Dis Date: 2020-10 Impact factor: 3.868