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Sexual risk behavior and substance use among young, diverse women seeking care at a reproductive health clinic.

ABSTRACT: BACKGROUND:To describe sexual risk behavior, alcohol (and other substance) use, and perceived health promotion needs among young adult women seeking care from an urban reproductive health care clinic in the Northeastern United States, and to examine if these needs differ by race and ethnicity. METHODS:Women 18-29?years old presenting for a routine medical visit were invited to participate. Of 486 eligible women, 466 (96%) agreed to participate and completed a brief survey on a tablet computer. Most of the sample (53%) identified as non-Hispanic White. One-quarter (25%) identified as Hispanic/Latina. A smaller proportion of women identified as African American (19%). RESULTS:One-third (31%) of women reported a history of sexually transmitted infection (STI), and women reported infrequent condom use with recent sexual partners. Regarding behavioral health needs, nearly three-quarters of women (72%) reported regular alcohol use, approximately one-third had used marijuana (37%) or tobacco (33%) in the last month, and 19% reported clinically significant depressive symptoms in the last two weeks. Women reported moderate-to-strong interest in receiving information about relationships and sexual health; however, the majority were not interested in information about their substance use. Hispanic and African-American women were more likely to report STI history despite reporting fewer sexual partners than non-Hispanic White women. Minority women also reported significantly less alcohol and cigarette use, but more water pipe tobacco use, and reported significantly greater interest in interventions to promote sexual health. Hispanic women also evidenced significantly elevated rates of depressive symptoms, with 26% of Hispanic women reporting a clinically significant level of depressive symptoms. CONCLUSIONS:Reproductive health centers are opportune settings to address a broad range of healthcare needs, including sexual health, substance use, and mental health. These centers engage a diverse group of women, which is important given observed disparities in health outcomes based on race/ethnicity. Young women, particularly racial and ethnic minority women, report the most interest in services addressing sexual and relationship health.

SUBMITTER: Norris AL

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6341714 | biostudies-other | 2019 Jan

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-other

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Project description:ObjectiveTo investigate demographic differences and evaluate how reproductive coercion and relationship abuse influences young females' care-seeking and sexual health behaviors.MethodsWe conducted a secondary analysis of cross-sectional baseline survey data from sexually active female students (aged 14-19 years) who sought care from school health centers. Outcomes included recent (previous 3 months) reproductive coercion, physical or sexual adolescent relationship abuse, and nonpartner sexual violence victimization. Cluster-adjusted χ tests compared demographics and generalized linear mixed models estimated associations among reproductive coercion, adolescent relationship abuse (physical and sexual abuse in romantic relationships), and care-seeking and sexual health behaviors.ResultsOf 550 sexually active high school females, 12% reported recent reproductive coercion and 17% reported physical or sexual adolescent relationship abuse, with no significant demographic differences. Prevalence of recent nonpartner sexual violence was 17%. There were no observed significant differences in care-seeking behaviors among those with recent reproductive coercion compared with those without. Physical or sexual adolescent relationship abuse was associated with increased odds of seeking testing or treatment for sexually transmitted infections (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] 2.08, 95% CI 1.05-4.13). Females exposed to both adolescent relationship abuse and reproductive coercion had higher odds of having a partner who was 5 or more years older (aOR 4.66, 95% CI 1.51-14.4), having two or more recent sexual partners (aOR 3.86, 95% CI 1.57-9.48), and using hormonal contraception only (aOR 3.77, 95% CI 1.09-13.1 vs hormonal methods with condoms).ConclusionAlmost one in eight females experienced recent reproductive coercion. We did not observe significant demographic differences in reproductive coercion. Partner age and number of sexual partners may elevate risk for abusive relationships. Relationship abuse is prevalent among high school students seeking care, with no clear pattern for case identification. By failing to identify factors associated with harmful partner behaviors, our results support universal assessment for reproductive coercion and relationship abuse among high school-aged adolescents, involving education, resources, and harm-reduction counseling to all patients.Clinical trial registrationClinicalTrials.gov, NCT01678378.

Project description:IntroductionHuman papillomavirus (HPV) is the most common sexually transmitted infection (STI) worldwide. Despite recommendations for HPV vaccination of young women from health authorities, parental concerns were raised whether vaccination could induce unsafe sexual behaviour in young women. Therefore, the primary aim of this study was to investigate if HPV vaccination in healthcare seeking adult women in Luxembourg was associated with unsafe sexual behaviour.MethodsSeven hundred twenty-nine women (mean age = 22.5; range 18-43 years) were recruited either at Luxembourg family planning centres or at private gynaecology practices. All participants completed a questionnaire on vaccination status and sexual behaviour. Poisson and logistic regressions were used to study the association between sexual behaviour and vaccination status (N = 538). Both models were restricted to women younger than 26 years, since the first cohort being vaccinated would be 25 years old at the time of sampling. Assortativity of sexual mixing by age was also assessed for further transmission modelling for women <30 years reporting age of last/current sexual partner (N = 649). Women older than 29 years were excluded from the assortativity analysis due to restricted sample size.ResultsIn total, 386/538 (71.8%) of participants reported receiving HPV vaccine. Vaccination uptake significantly varied by nationality and was higher in Portuguese 112/142 (78.9%) and in Luxembourgish 224/313(71.6%) residents, and lower in residents of other nationalities 50/83 (60.2%) (p = 0.011). HPV vaccination was not associated with unsafe sexual behaviour such as shorter relationship duration with current or last sexual partner (odds ratio (OR) = 1.05, 95% CI [0.94-1.16]), younger age of sexual debut (OR = 1.00, 95% CI [0.88-1.14]), increased number of lifetime sexual partners (OR = 0.95, 95% CI [0.87-1.03), higher age difference with sexual partner (OR = 1.01, 95% CI [0.95-1.08]), condom use (OR = 0.97, 95% CI [0.60-1.56]), nor with other factors like smoking (OR = 0.73, 95% CI [0.47-1.15]) and nationality. HPV vaccination was only associated with younger age (OR = 0.84, 95% CI [0.75-0.94]). Relationship duration, age of sexual debut, age difference with sexual partner, smoking, age and non-Portuguese foreign nationality were predictors of number of lifetime sexual partners. Assortativity analysis revealed that young women chose sexual partners who were 2.3 years older on average.ConclusionsOur study found no association between unsafe sexual behaviour and HPV vaccination.

Project description:OBJECTIVES:To explore contextual factors that increase vulnerabilities to negative sexual and reproductive health (SRH) outcomes and possible differences in SRH-related behaviours and the needs of women who use drugs (WUD) through non-injecting and injecting routes. DESIGN:Qualitative study design using semi-structured in-depth interviews. PARTICIPANTS:Twenty women who injected drugs in the past 3 months and 28 women who reported using drugs through non-injecting routes in the past 1 month. SETTING:Interviews were conducted at community-based, drop-in centres in Delhi, India. RESULTS:Study findings illustrate that WUD were sexually active and had multiple sex partners including clients of sex work. Transient relationships were reported and many participants engaged in unsafe sex. Factors which affected safe sex behaviours included: gender power imbalance, limited agency for decision-making, lack of accurate information for correct self-risk assessment, and being under the influence of drugs. Despite high awareness, low and inconsistent contraceptive use was reported. Some participants were coerced to conceive while a few others reported their inability to conceive. Violence was a key determinant for SRH outcomes. Perception of certain adverse health outcomes (such as infertility) to be 'common and expected among WUD' influenced access to healthcare. Further, healthcare providers' stigmatising attitudes and lack of women-centric services deterred women from uptake of healthcare services. CONCLUSION:Findings highlight that SRH-related behaviours and needs of this group are a complex interplay of multiple determinants which need to be addressed at all levels: individual, family, community and institutional. It is imperative to roll out a 'one-stop-shop' for a comprehensive package of health services. Expansion of existing drop-in-centres could be considered for setting-up community-based women-centric services with appropriate linkage to drug dependence treatment and reproductive health services.

Project description:BackgroundThe HIV epidemic in Eastern and Southern Africa is characterized by a high incidence and prevalence of HIV infection among adolescent girls and young women (AGYW) aged 15-24 years. For instance, in some countries, HIV prevalence in AGYW aged 20-24 years exceeds that in AGYW aged 15-19 years by 2:1. Sauti (meaning voices), a project supported by the United States Agency for International Development, is providing HIV combination prevention interventions to AGYW in the Shinyanga region, Tanzania.ObjectiveThe aim of this study is to determine the impact of cash transfer on risky sexual behavior among AGYW receiving cash transfer and HIV combination prevention interventions. This paper describes the research methods and general protocol of the study. Risky sexual behavior will be assessed by herpes simplex virus type 2 (HSV-2) incidence, compensated sex (defined as sexual encounters motivated by exchange for money, material support, or other benefits), and intergenerational sex (defined as a sexual partnership between AGYW and a man 10 or more years older). Through a qualitative study, the study seeks to understand how the intervention affects the structural and behavioral drivers of the HIV epidemic.MethodsThe trial employs audio computer-assisted self-interviewing, participatory group discussions (PGDs), and case studies to collect data. A total of 30 matched villages (15 intervention and 15 control clusters) were randomized to either receive cash transfer delivered over 18 months in addition to other HIV interventions (intervention arm) or to receive other HIV interventions without cash transfer (control arm). Study participants are interviewed at baseline and 6, 12, and 18 months to collect data on demographics, factors related to HIV vulnerabilities, family planning, sexual risk behavior, gender-based violence, and HSV-2 and HIV infections. A total of 6 PGDs (3 intervention, 3 control) were conducted at baseline to describe perceptions and preferences of different intervention packages, whereas 20 case studies are used to monitor and unearth the dynamics involved in delivery and uptake of cash transfer.ResultsThe study was funded in June 2017; enrollment took place in December 2017. A total of two rounds of the follow-up survey are complete, and one round has yet to be conducted. The results are expected in December 2019 and will be disseminated through conferences and peer-reviewed publications.ConclusionsThis study will document the synergetic impact of cash transfer in the presence of HIV combination prevention interventions on risky sexual behavior among out-of-school AGYW. The results will strengthen the evidence of cash transfer in the reduction of risky sexual behavior and provide feasible HIV prevention strategies for AGYW.Trial registrationClinicaltrials.gov NCT03597243; https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT03597243.International registered report identifier (irrid)DERR1-10.2196/14696.

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Sexual risk behavior and substance use among young, diverse women seeking care at a reproductive health clinic.

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