Abstract
This study examined correlates of the discordance between sexual behavior self-reports and Incident Sexually Transmitted Infections.
African American adolescent females (N = 964) from four U.S. cities were recruited for an HIV/STI prevention trial. Self-reported sexual behaviors, demographics,
and hypothesized psychosocial antecedents of sexual risk behavior were collected at baseline, 6-, 12-, and 18-month follow-up
assessments. Urine specimens were collected and tested for three prevalent STIs (chlamydia, gonorrhea, trichomonas) at each
assessment. Seventeen percent of participants with a laboratory-confirmed STI reported either lifetime abstinence or recent
abstinence from vaginal sex (discordant self-report). Lower STI knowledge, belief that fewer peers were engaging in sex, and
belief that more peers will wait until marriage to have sex were associated with discordant reports. Discordance between self-reported
abstinence and incident STIs was marked among African American female adolescents. Lack of STI knowledge and sexual behavior
peer norms may result in underreporting of sexual behaviors.
African American adolescent females (N = 964) from four U.S. cities were recruited for an HIV/STI prevention trial. Self-reported sexual behaviors, demographics,
and hypothesized psychosocial antecedents of sexual risk behavior were collected at baseline, 6-, 12-, and 18-month follow-up
assessments. Urine specimens were collected and tested for three prevalent STIs (chlamydia, gonorrhea, trichomonas) at each
assessment. Seventeen percent of participants with a laboratory-confirmed STI reported either lifetime abstinence or recent
abstinence from vaginal sex (discordant self-report). Lower STI knowledge, belief that fewer peers were engaging in sex, and
belief that more peers will wait until marriage to have sex were associated with discordant reports. Discordance between self-reported
abstinence and incident STIs was marked among African American female adolescents. Lack of STI knowledge and sexual behavior
peer norms may result in underreporting of sexual behaviors.
- Content Type Journal Article
- Category Original Paper
- Pages 1-10
- DOI 10.1007/s10461-012-0163-8
- Authors
- Jennifer L. Brown, Department of Behavioral Sciences and Health Education, Rollins School of Public Health & Center for AIDS Research, Emory University, 1518 Clifton Road NE, Room 426, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA
- Jessica M. Sales, Department of Behavioral Sciences and Health Education, Rollins School of Public Health & Center for AIDS Research, Emory University, 1518 Clifton Road NE, Room 426, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA
- Ralph J. DiClemente, Department of Behavioral Sciences and Health Education, Rollins School of Public Health & Center for AIDS Research, Emory University, 1518 Clifton Road NE, Room 426, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA
- Laura F. Salazar, Institute of Public Health, Georgia State University, Atlanta, GA, USA
- Peter A. Vanable, Department of Psychology, Syracuse University, Syracuse, NY, USA
- Michael P. Carey, The Centers for Behavioral and Preventive Medicine, The Miriam Hospital, Providence, RI, USA
- Larry K. Brown, The Centers for Behavioral and Preventive Medicine, The Miriam Hospital, Providence, RI, USA
- Daniel Romer, Adolescent Communication Institute, Annenberg Public Policy Center, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
- Robert F. Valois, Health Promotion, Education & Behavior, Arnold School of Public Health, University of South Carolina, Columbia, SC, USA
- Bonita Stanton, Department of Pediatrics, Wayne State University, Detroit, MI, USA
- Journal AIDS and Behavior
- Online ISSN 1573-3254
- Print ISSN 1090-7165