The Association of Sexual Behaviors With Socioeconomic Status, Family Structured Race/Ethnicity Among US Adolescents

Abstract:
This study assessed the relation of socioeconomic status (SES), family structure, and race/ethnicity to adolescent sexual behaviors that are key determinants of pregnancy and sexually transmitted diseases (STDs). The results showed that among male and female adolescents, greater parental education, living in a 2-parent family, and White race were independently associated with never having had sexual intercourse. However, the differences in adolescent sexual behavior by race and SES were not large enough to fully explain differences in rates of pregnancy and STD infection. This suggests that other factors, including access to health services and community prevalence of STDs may be important in mediating variables between SES and STD transmissions and pregnancy among adolescents.

Author(s): Santelli, John S., MD, MPH, Lowry, Ri., MD, Brener, Na D., PhD, Robin, Le., PhD

Publication: American Journal of Public Health


Date Published: 10/1/2000

Pages: 7

Location Code: 6433