Kerry M Green, Pamela A Matson1, Beth A Reboussin2, Adam J Milam, C Debra M Furr-Holden3, Jill A Rabinowitz4, Terrinieka W Powell5, Nicholas S Ialongo4. 1. Pediatrics, Johns Hopkins Medicine, Baltimore, MD. 2. Biostatistics and Data Science, Wake Forest School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, NC. 3. Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Michigan State University College of Human Medicine, Flint, MI. 4. Mental Health, and. 5. Population, Family and Reproductive Health, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: This study aimed to increase understanding of the clustering of sexual behaviors in an urban sample of emerging adults, and the individual and neighborhood factors associated with sexual behavior patterns to provide insight into reducing the disproportionate burden of poor sexual outcomes among urban African Americans. METHODS: We draw on 2 cohorts of urban, predominantly African American youth first assessed at age 6 years and follow-up to emerging adulthood (mean age, 20 years; n = 1618). Latent class analyses by gender identified co-occurrence of sexual behavior. RESULTS: We found 3 classes for both males and females: high-risk (13% of males, 15% of females), low-risk (54% of males, 56% of females) and no-risk (33% of males, 29% of females). Membership in the high-risk class was associated with school dropout, a substance use disorder diagnosis, having a criminal arrest, pregnancy, and sexually transmitted diseases for both males and females. High-risk females also had higher rates of depression. Low-risk males and females also had elevated risk of pregnancy and parenthood. Neighborhood factors distinguished the high- and no-risk classes for males and females, including the neighborhood environment scale, which assessed poverty, safety, drug activity, and crime/violence in the neighborhood. Neighborhood religiosity was inversely associated with membership in the high-risk class compared with the no-risk class for females only. Neighborhood racism distinguished those in the high-risk class compared with the no-risk class for males. CONCLUSIONS: Future work should take into account the clustering of sexual risk behaviors. Specific neighborhood factors could be addressed to reduce sexual health disparities.
BACKGROUND: This study aimed to increase understanding of the clustering of sexual behaviors in an urban sample of emerging adults, and the individual and neighborhood factors associated with sexual behavior patterns to provide insight into reducing the disproportionate burden of poor sexual outcomes among urban African Americans. METHODS: We draw on 2 cohorts of urban, predominantly African American youth first assessed at age 6 years and follow-up to emerging adulthood (mean age, 20 years; n = 1618). Latent class analyses by gender identified co-occurrence of sexual behavior. RESULTS: We found 3 classes for both males and females: high-risk (13% of males, 15% of females), low-risk (54% of males, 56% of females) and no-risk (33% of males, 29% of females). Membership in the high-risk class was associated with school dropout, a substance use disorder diagnosis, having a criminal arrest, pregnancy, and sexually transmitted diseases for both males and females. High-risk females also had higher rates of depression. Low-risk males and females also had elevated risk of pregnancy and parenthood. Neighborhood factors distinguished the high- and no-risk classes for males and females, including the neighborhood environment scale, which assessed poverty, safety, drug activity, and crime/violence in the neighborhood. Neighborhood religiosity was inversely associated with membership in the high-risk class compared with the no-risk class for females only. Neighborhood racism distinguished those in the high-risk class compared with the no-risk class for males. CONCLUSIONS: Future work should take into account the clustering of sexual risk behaviors. Specific neighborhood factors could be addressed to reduce sexual health disparities.
Authors: Andrew R Zullo; Joëlla W Adams; Jason R Gantenberg; Brandon D L Marshall; Chanelle J Howe Journal: Ann Epidemiol Date: 2019-10-09 Impact factor: 3.797
Authors: Terrinieka W Powell; Jill A Rabinowitz; Michelle R Kaufman; Adam J Milam; Kelly Benke; Danielle Y Sisto; George Uhl; Brion S Maher; Nicholas S Ialongo Journal: PLoS One Date: 2019-10-03 Impact factor: 3.240
Authors: Diane Santa Maria; Saumali S Daundasekara; Daphne C Hernandez; Wei Zhang; Sarah C Narendorf Journal: PLoS One Date: 2020-01-03 Impact factor: 3.240