The association between gang involvement and sexual behaviours among detained adolescent males.

OBJECTIVE

Data were collected from 270 detained male adolescents (aged 14-18 years) to determine the association between ever having been in a gang and a range of sexual behaviours such as sexual activity, male condom use, sex with multiple partners, and drug use during sex.

METHODS

Participants answered survey questions using audio computer assisted self interviewing (A-CASI) procedures, which assessed demographic, family factors, history of gang membership, and sexual behaviours.

RESULTS

Multiple logistic regression analyses, controlling for demographic, socioeconomic status, and family factors, indicated that adolescents who reported having been in a gang, relative to their peers reporting no gang involvement, were 5.7 times more likely to have had sex, 3.2 times more likely to have got a girl pregnant, and almost four times more likely to have been "high" on alcohol or other drugs during sexual intercourse, have had sex with a partner who was "high" on alcohol or other drugs, or have had sex with multiple partners concurrently.

CONCLUSIONS

Findings suggest that having been in a gang can discriminate between levels of STI associated risk behaviours among an otherwise high risk population-detained adolescent males.