The association between substance use and risky sexual behaviors among incarcerated adolescents.

OBJECTIVES

The purpose of this study is to examine the relationships between substance use and risky sexual behaviors and having acquired a sexually transmitted disease.

METHODS

The sample consisted of 210 incarcerated adolescents ages 12-17. Data were collected through 40-min interviews administered by trained research assistants. Multivariate analysis was used to examine the relationship between risky sexual behaviors and substance use when adjusting for other covariates.

RESULTS

Almost three-quarters (70.6%) of these incarcerated adolescents regularly use one or more substances. Inconsistent condom use and sex with multiple partners (>2) was reported by approximately 70% of those surveyed. The regular use of substances elevated the odds of having sex with multiple partners (OR = 11.88), exchanging sex for money or drugs (OR = 4.64). and inconsistent condom use (OR = 3.06).

CONCLUSION

Given strong associations between risky sexual behavior and substance use, interventions should be more multiproblem-focused. Health interventions should attempt to address common causes of both behaviors. Effective interventions will be those that can successfully demonstrate effects on outcomes that measure both the intervention effects on substance use and risky sexual behaviors.