Sexual concurrency among young African American women

• Type of Material: Article
• Authors: Drenna Waldrop-Valverde, Emory University; Teaniese Davis, Emory University; Jessica Sales, Emory University; ES Rose, Emory University; Gina Wingood, Emory University; Ralph Diclemente, Emory University
• Language: English
• Date: 2013-12-01
• Publisher: Taylor & Francis (Routledge): STM, Behavioural Science and Public Health Titles
• Publication Version: Author Accepted Manuscript (After Peer Review)
• Copyright Statement: © 2013 Taylor and Francis.
• Final Published Version (URL): http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/13548506.2013.764462
• Title of Journal or Parent Work: Psychology, Health and Medicine
• ISSN: 1354-8506
• Volume: 18
• Issue: 6
• Start Page: 676
• End Page: 686
• Grant/Funding Information: This work was also facilitated by the Center for AIDS Research at Emory University (P30 AI050409).; This research was supported by a grant (R01 MH070537-07) from the National Institute of Mental Health to the last author.
• Keywords: ADOLESCENT FEMALES; TRANSMITTED INFECTIONS; UNITED-STATES; INTERVENTION; TRANSMISSION; HIV PREVENTION; Science & Technology; BLACK; adolescent women; Public, Environmental & Occupational Health; African-American; BEHAVIOR; sexual concurrency; RACIAL DISPARITIES; PARTNER-TYPE; Life Sciences & Biomedicine
• Research Categories: Sociology, Ethnic and Racial Studies; Health Sciences, Public Health

Abstract

Young African-American women are disproportionately affected by human immunodeficiency virus/acquired immune deficiency syndrome (HIV/AIDS) sexually transmitted infections (STI), and engage in greater sexual concurrency than other race/ethnicities. It is important to evaluate behaviors and characteristics associated with the risk of sexual concurrency, so that interventions can target factors most likely to affect positive change. An emphasis on correlates of concurrency beyond individual-level factors has been suggested. The purpose of this study, therefore, was to identify individual-and partner-level characteristics associated with sexual concurrency among high-risk, young African-American women. Data were collected from 570 African-American adolescent women (aged 15-21) recruited from a STI clinic, a family planning clinic, and a teen clinic located in Atlanta, GA from March 2002 through August 2004. Logistic regression analysis was conducted in 2012 to evaluate correlates of sexual concurrency. Results show that almost one-quarter of participants reported sexually concurrent partnerships and 28.4% suspected male partner concurrency. Logistic regression results indicated the number of lifetime sexual partners and relationship factors were the primary contributors to engaging in concurrency in this sample. These findings suggest relationship factors may be important contributors to the prevalence of sexual concurrency among young African-American women. Interventions targeted toward sexual health among young African-American women may need to specifically address partner/relationship factors. Through these findings, we hope to better understand sexual risk taking and develop strategies that would overcome barriers to existing interventions aimed at improving the sexual health outcomes of young African-American women.