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Sun J, Zhu Y, Yang L, Ma C. Associations of tobacco and alcohol use with sexual behaviors among adolescents in 59 countries: a population-based study. BMC Public Health 2024; 24:2474. [PMID: 39261836 DOI: 10.1186/s12889-024-19939-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/08/2024] [Accepted: 08/29/2024] [Indexed: 09/13/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Sexual behaviors, particularly risky sexual behavior, has become a serious public health concern among adolescents worldwide, presenting a substantial obstacle to the prevention of sexually transmitted infections, including human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). However, there is limited research using consistent and standardized methodology to examine associations between tobacco and alcohol use frequency and both total and risky sexual behaviors among adolescents. We aimed to examine the association between tobacco and/or alcohol use with both total and risky sexual behaviors among adolescents worldwide. METHODS Data were collected from the Global School-based Student Health Survey, which comprised 211,847 adolescents aged 12-17 years from 59 countries. The frequency of tobacco or alcohol use during the past 30 days was categorized as 0, 1-2, 3-5, 6-9, or ≥ 10 days. Tobacco and alcohol use were also categorized as non-use, tobacco use alone, alcohol use alone, and combined use. Multi-variable logistic regression analysis was used to examine both the independent and combined associations of tobacco and alcohol use with total and risky sexual behaviors. RESULTS Compared with no tobacco use, the odds ratio of engaging in sexual intercourse increased with the frequency of tobacco use from 1 to 2 days to ≥ 10 days (total: 2.03 [95% confidence interval 1.47-2.81] to 3.98[2.63-6.03]; risky: 2.43[1.75-3.38] to 4.21[3.26-5.42]), as well as with the frequency of alcohol use. Overall, combined users had greater likelihood of both total and risky sexual behaviors than tobacco users alone, alcohol users alone, and non-users. Similarly, the association between risky sexual behaviors and tobacco use alone was more pronounced among adolescent girls (vs. adolescent boys), as were those of risky sexual behaviors with alcohol use alone among younger adolescents aged 12-14 years (vs. aged 15-17 years) and with tobacco and/or alcohol use among adolescents in the Western Pacific region (vs. Regions of Africa and Americas). CONCLUSIONS Our findings suggest independent and combined associations between tobacco and/or alcohol use with sexual behaviors among adolescents, with variations across age, sex, and WHO region.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiahong Sun
- Department of Preventive Medicine, School of Public Health, Guangdong Medical University, Dongguan, Guangdong, China
| | - Yongliang Zhu
- Department of Epidemiology and Health Statistics, School of Public Health, Guangdong Medical University, No.1 Xincheng Road, Dongguan, 523808, Guangdong, China
| | - Liu Yang
- Clinical Research Center, Women's Hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Chuanwei Ma
- Department of Epidemiology and Health Statistics, School of Public Health, Guangdong Medical University, No.1 Xincheng Road, Dongguan, 523808, Guangdong, China.
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Halkjelsvik T, Skirbekk VF. Concurrent decline in teenage fertility rate and binge drinking? An observational study across 45 nations. Drug Alcohol Rev 2024; 43:1451-1460. [PMID: 38773899 DOI: 10.1111/dar.13867] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/22/2023] [Revised: 04/29/2024] [Accepted: 04/29/2024] [Indexed: 05/24/2024]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Alcohol consumption is associated with unintended pregnancies among teenagers. Its role as a broader determinant of teenage fertility rates remains unclear. We investigate whether adolescent binge drinking affects the number of teenage births. METHODS Binge drinking data from 137,898 females aged 15-16 were collected in the HBSC study (2002-2018, 43 countries/regions) and 267,359 in the ESPAD study (1995-2019, 41 countries/regions). Age-specific fertility rates were from the Human Fertility Database and the World Health Organization. We examined changes over time in countries' average levels of binge drinking among female pupils aged 15-16 and population-level fertility rates for the same cohorts when aged 16-19 years. RESULTS Controlling for differences between countries and survey waves, we found an association between binge drinking and fertility rate, B = 0.019, 95% confidence interval [0.004, 0.034]. When accounting for the countries' time trends, the association was substantially reduced, B = 0.006, 95% confidence interval [-0.0062, 0.0174]. The relationship was not moderated by abortion rates and controlling for contraceptive use had no impact on the findings. DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSIONS The association between adolescent binge drinking and fertility rates diminishes when accounting for country-specific time trends. Given the lack of clear mechanisms linking binge drinking to trends in fertility rates rather than shorter-term changes, the association likely reflects broader secular trends. Binge drinking may be involved in teen pregnancy and childbirth in individual cases but it does not explain recent developments in teenage fertility rates.
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Affiliation(s)
- Torleif Halkjelsvik
- Department of Tobacco and Drugs, Norwegian Institute of Public Health, Oslo, Norway
- Centre for Evaluation of Public Health Measures, Norwegian Institute of Public Health, Oslo, Norway
| | - Vegard Fykse Skirbekk
- Centre for Fertility and Health, Norwegian Institute of Public Health, Oslo, Norway
- Columbia Aging Center, Columbia University Mailman School of Public Health, New York, USA
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Dadras O. Prevalence and correlates of sexual intercourse under influence of alcohol among Thai adolescents: lessons from a nationwide school-based survey. Int J Adolesc Med Health 2024; 36:381-389. [PMID: 38917827 DOI: 10.1515/ijamh-2024-0045] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/21/2024] [Accepted: 06/10/2024] [Indexed: 06/27/2024]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES Having sex under the influence of alcohol is a risky behavior and this study explored its prevalence and correlates among school-going Thai adolescents. METHODS The data from the 2021 Thailand Global School-based Student Health Survey (GSHS), including a nationally representative sample of students in grades 7-12th, was used to extract the relevant variables including demographic, psychosocial, substance use, and risky sex behaviors. Logistic regression was used to assess the odds of engaging in sex while intoxicated across the independent variables while accounting for age and sex differences. RESULTS Approximately 30.45 % of respondents reported alcohol intoxication and 37.75 % reported engaging in sexual intercourse while intoxicated at least once. Older adolescents (>14 years), males, and those in 11 and 12 grades were more likely to engage in sexual intercourse while intoxicated. Psychosocial factors such as loneliness and anxiety-induced insomnia were associated with increased likelihood, particularly among females. Substance use, including marijuana and amphetamine use, as well as cigarette smoking, correlated with higher odds of engaging in sexual intercourse while intoxicated. Both genders who engaged in sex while intoxicated reported having multiple sexual partners, with males more likely to use condoms. CONCLUSIONS The intricate relationship between poor mental health, substance use, and risky sex behaviors along with their association with sex under alcohol influence emphasizes the need for a holistic approach to address the common risk factors and implement effective school-based screening strategies to identify the risk groups, educate them, and prevent the burden of risky sex under alcohol intoxication.
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Affiliation(s)
- Omid Dadras
- Department of Global Public Health and Primary Care, 1658 University of Bergen , Bergen, Norway
- Department of Addiction Medicine, Haukeland University Hospital, Bergen, Norway
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Mukanga B, Dlamini SB, Mwanabute N, Taylor M. Adolescents' risky sexual behaviours and practices: Implications for sexuality education implementation in Zambia. Afr J Prim Health Care Fam Med 2024; 16:e1-e11. [PMID: 39099271 PMCID: PMC11304187 DOI: 10.4102/phcfm.v16i1.4476] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/31/2024] [Revised: 05/16/2024] [Accepted: 05/20/2024] [Indexed: 08/06/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Adolescents' risky sexual behaviours (RSB) are detrimental to their sexual and reproductive health (SRH) well-being and present a serious public health threat, particularly in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). AIM This study aims to assess RSB among Grade 12 school-going adolescents after exposure to comprehensive sexuality education (CSE). SETTING This study was conducted in Kitwe district, Zambia. METHODS This cross-sectional study included 807 Grade 12 pupils at 13 selected secondary schools. Data were collected using a structured questionnaire. Proportionate probability sampling involving 13 schools was employed. Risky sexual behaviours binary outcome variables were based on transactional sex, sex while drunk, multiple sexual partners, age-disparate sexual relationships, and condomless sex. We conducted univariate and bivariate analyses to summarise sociodemographic factors and fitted binary and multivariable logistic regression models. RESULTS The prevalence of RSB was 40.4%. Drinking alcohol (adjusted odds ratio [AOR] = 20.825; 95% CI [6.7-64.489]); ever had sex (AOR = 9.024; 95% CI [1.953-41.704]); school location (AOR = 6.50; 95% CI [1.61-26.24]); living with mother only (AOR = 4.820; 95% CI [1.328-17.493]); sex (male) (AOR = 2.632; 95% CI [1.469-4.713]), watching pornography (AOR = 1.745; 95% CI [1008-3.021]); religion (AOR = 0.472; 95% CI [0.250-0.891]) and attending religious functions (AOR = 0.317; 95% CI [0.118-0.848]) were significantly associated with RSB. Of the sexually active pupils, 221 (67.7%), 64 (19.6%) and 41 (12.5%) were in the low, medium and high-risk categories, respectively. CONCLUSION Close to half of the respondents engaged in RSB. This is a significant number that needs intervention. The CSE programme needs to be linked with structural programmes that address the social drivers of RSB among adolescents.Contribution: The study provides a backdrop for evaluating current CSE strategies in LMICs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bright Mukanga
- Discipline of Public Health Medicine, School of Nursing and Public Health, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, South Africa; and Department of Public Health, School of Medicine, Copperbelt University, Ndola.
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Hlahla K, Azizi SC, Simms V, Dziva Chikwari C, Dauya E, Bandason T, Tembo M, Mavodza C, Kranzer K, Ferrand R. Prevalence of substance and hazardous alcohol use and their association with risky sexual behaviour among youth: findings from a population-based survey in Zimbabwe. BMJ Open 2024; 14:e080993. [PMID: 38885985 PMCID: PMC11184200 DOI: 10.1136/bmjopen-2023-080993] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/17/2023] [Accepted: 05/30/2024] [Indexed: 06/20/2024] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVES Hazardous drinking (HD) and substance use (SU) can lead to disinhibited behaviour and are both growing public health problems among Southern African youths. We investigated the prevalence of SU and HD and their association with risky sexual behaviour among youth in Zimbabwe. DESIGN Data analysis from a population-based survey conducted between October 2021 and June 2022 to ascertain the outcomes of a cluster randomised trial (CHIEDZA: Trial registration number:NCT03719521). Trial Stage: Post-results. SETTING 24 communities in three provinces in Zimbabwe. PARTICIPANTS Youth aged 18-24 years living in randomly selected households. OUTCOME MEASURES HD was defined as an Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test score ≥8, SU was defined as ever use of ≥1 commonly used substances in the local setting. RESULTS Of 17 585 participants eligible for this analysis, 61% were women and the median age was 20 (IQR: 19-22) years. Overall, 4.5% and 7.0% of participants reported HD and SU, respectively. Men had a substantially higher prevalence than women of HD (8.2% vs 1.9%) and SU (15.1% vs 1.5%). Among men, after adjusting for socio-demographic factors, we found increased odds of having >1 sexual partner in those who engaged in SU (adjusted OR (aOR)=2.67, 95% CI: 2.21 to 3.22), HD (aOR=3.40, 95% CI: 2.71 to 4.26) and concurrent HD and SU (aOR=4.57,95% CI: 3.59 to 5.81) compared with those who did not engage in HD or SU. Similarly, there were increased odds of receiving/providing transactional sex among men who engaged in SU (aOR=2.51, 95% CI: 1.68 to 3.74), HD (aOR=3.60, 95% CI: 2.24 to 5.79), and concurrent HD and SU (aOR=7.74, 95% CI: 5.44 to 11.0). SU was associated with 22% increased odds of inconsistent condom use in men (aOR=1.22, 95% CI: 1.03 to 1.47). In women, the odds of having >1 sexual partner and having transactional sex were also increased among those who engaged in SU and HD. CONCLUSION SU and HD are associated with sexual behaviours that increase the risk of HIV acquisition in youth. Sexual and reproductive health interventions must consider HD and SU as potential drivers of risky sexual behaviour in youths.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kudzai Hlahla
- Biomedical Research and Training Institute, Harare, Zimbabwe
- University of Zimbabwe Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Harare, Zimbabwe
| | - Steven Chifundo Azizi
- Biomedical Research and Training Institute, Harare, Zimbabwe
- Department of Infectious Disease Epidemiology, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, UK
| | - Victoria Simms
- Biomedical Research and Training Institute, Harare, Zimbabwe
- Department of Infectious Disease Epidemiology, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, UK
| | - Chido Dziva Chikwari
- Biomedical Research and Training Institute, Harare, Zimbabwe
- Department of Infectious Disease Epidemiology, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, UK
| | - Ethel Dauya
- Biomedical Research and Training Institute, Harare, Zimbabwe
| | - Tsitsi Bandason
- Biomedical Research and Training Institute, Harare, Zimbabwe
| | - Mandikudza Tembo
- Biomedical Research and Training Institute, Harare, Zimbabwe
- Department of Infectious Disease Epidemiology, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, UK
| | - Constancia Mavodza
- Biomedical Research and Training Institute, Harare, Zimbabwe
- Department of Public Health, Environments and Society, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, UK
| | - Katharina Kranzer
- Biomedical Research and Training Institute, Harare, Zimbabwe
- Clinical Research Department, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, UK
| | - Rashida Ferrand
- Biomedical Research and Training Institute, Harare, Zimbabwe
- Clinical Research Department, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, UK
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Kebede SD, Kebede N, Mihiretu MM, Enyew EB, Ayele K, Asmare L, Bayou FD, Arfaynie M, Walle AD, Tsega Y, Endawkie A. Spatial distribution and determinants of Early sexual initiation in Ethiopia. BMC Public Health 2024; 24:1536. [PMID: 38849767 PMCID: PMC11157857 DOI: 10.1186/s12889-024-19057-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/01/2023] [Accepted: 06/04/2024] [Indexed: 06/09/2024] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Early sexual initiation has negative health, social, and economic consequences for both women and future generations. The trend of early sexual initiation is increasing globally, leading to higher rates of sexually transmitted diseases and unplanned pregnancies. Ethiopia has been challenged various disasters that makes women vulnerable and position them at heightened risk of early sexual initiation in the last four years. The spatial patterns and factors of early sexual initiation in the post-conflict-post pandemic settings is not well understood. Hence this research aimed at mapping Spatial Patterns and identifying determinant factors in the Post-COVID-Post-Conflict Settings. METHODS The study was conducted on secondary data from the PMA 2021 cross-sectional survey which conducted nationally from November 2021 to January 2022 which is in the post pandemic and post-war period. Total weighted sample of 6,036 reproductive age women were included in the analysis. ArcGIS Pro and SaTScan software were used to handle spatial analysis. Multilevel logistic regression model was used to estimate the effects of independent variables on early sexual initiation at individual and community level factors. Adjusted odds ratio with the 95% confidence interval was reported to declare the strength and statistical significance of the association. RESULT The spatial distribution of early sexual initiation was clustered in Ethiopia with a global Moran's I index value of 0.09 and Z-score 6.01 (p-value < 0.001).Significant hotspots were detected in East Gojjam zone of Amhara region, Bale, Arsi, West Hararge, East Wellega and Horo Gudru Wellega zones of Oromia region. The odds of having early sexual initiation was higher in women with primary education (AOR = 1.23, 95%CI: 1.03, 1.47), secondary or above education (AOR = 4.36, 95%CI: 3.49, 5.44), Women aged 26 to 25 (AOR = 1.91, 95%CI: 1.61, 2.26), women aged 36 to 49(AOR = 1.51, 95%CI: 1.24, 1.84). However, there was a significant lower likelihood of early sexual initiation in rural resident women (AOR = 0.53, 95%CI: 0.35, 0.81) and women living in 5 to 7 family size (AOR = 0.79, 95%CI: 0.68, 0.92), and more than 7 members (AOR = 0.63, 95%CI: 0.49, 0.81). CONCLUSIONS The spatial distribution of early sexual initiation was clustered in Ethiopia. Interventions should be taken to eliminate the observed variation by mobilizing resources to high-risk areas. Policies and interventions targeted to this problem may also take the identified associated factors into account for better results.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shimels Derso Kebede
- Department of Health Informatics, School of Public Health, College of Medicine and Health Science, Wollo University, Dessie, Ethiopia.
| | - Natnael Kebede
- Department of Health Promotion, School of Public Health, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, Wollo University, Dessie, Ethiopia
| | - Mengistu Mera Mihiretu
- Department of Health System and Management, School of Public Health, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, Wollo University, Dessie, Ethiopia
| | - Ermias Bekele Enyew
- Department of Health Informatics, School of Public Health, College of Medicine and Health Science, Wollo University, Dessie, Ethiopia
| | - Kokeb Ayele
- Department of Health Promotion, School of Public Health, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, Wollo University, Dessie, Ethiopia
| | - Lakew Asmare
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Public Health, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, Wollo University, Dessie, Ethiopia
| | - Fekade Demeke Bayou
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Public Health, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, Wollo University, Dessie, Ethiopia
| | - Mastewal Arfaynie
- Department of Reproductive and Family Health, School of Public Health, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, Wollo University, Dessie, Ethiopia
| | - Agmasie Damtew Walle
- Department of Health Informatics, School of Public Health, Asrat Woldeyes Health Science Campus, Debre Berhan University, Debre Berhan, Ethiopia
| | - Yawkal Tsega
- Department of Health System and Management, School of Public Health, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, Wollo University, Dessie, Ethiopia
| | - Abel Endawkie
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Public Health, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, Wollo University, Dessie, Ethiopia
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Leite GPR, de Avó LRDS, Germano CMR, Melo DG. Development and psychometric evaluation of a questionnaire to measure university students' knowledge on the effects of alcohol use during pregnancy. Front Public Health 2024; 12:1399333. [PMID: 38799689 PMCID: PMC11116569 DOI: 10.3389/fpubh.2024.1399333] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/11/2024] [Accepted: 04/24/2024] [Indexed: 05/29/2024] Open
Abstract
Introduction Alcohol consumption during pregnancy can lead to fetal alcohol spectrum disorders. This study developed and validated a questionnaire to assess university students' knowledge regarding the effects of alcohol during pregnancy. Methods We designed an instrument with true-false-I do not know statements. Initially, 45 true statements were formulated and subjected to content validation by 19 experts. Based on the Content Validity Index (CVI), 17 items were selected. The instrument, called the Fetal Alcohol Consequences Test (FACT), was first assessed by 31 university students for the level of understanding. Then, the questionnaire was administered to a national Brazilian sample of university students, and an Exploratory Factor Analysis (EFA) was conducted. Each correct FACT answer was worth 1 point, and the knowledge was categorized as high (total score ≥ 80%), moderate (score between 60 and 79%), and low (score ≤ 59%). Results When the questionnaire was being designed, the CVI values ranged from 0.779 to 1.0, and all statements were considered suitable by the target audience. For psychometric evaluation, 768 students from 24 Brazilian states participated. In the EFA, five statements were removed, revealing a tool with 12 items and two latent factors: "fetal alcohol spectrum disorders" and "conceptions and guidance on alcohol consumption during pregnancy." The KMO index (0.76426) and Bartlett's sphericity test (6362.6, df = 66, p < 0.00001) both supported the final EFA model. The goodness-of-fit indices for the factor structure were adequate: χ2 = 119.609, df = 43, p < 0.00001; RMSEA = 0.048; CFI = 0.977; TLI = 0.965. The mean total FACT score among participants was 7.71 ± 2.98, with a median of 8; 32.03% of the students had high (10-12 points), 24.09% moderate (8-9 points), and 43.88% low knowledge (<8 points). The questionnaire proved reliable, with a floor effect of 1.17%, a ceiling effect of 9.25%, and a Cronbach's alpha index of 0.798. Conclusion The FACT can be utilized in university students' health education processes, contributing to greater knowledge and information dissemination about the effects of alcohol during pregnancy, in addition to the formulation of policies on the subject directed to this group of young adults.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Lucimar Retto da Silva de Avó
- Departamento de Medicina, Universidade Federal de São Carlos (UFSCar), São Paulo, Brazil
- National Institute on Population Medical Genetics (INAGEMP), Porto Alegre, Brazil
| | - Carla Maria Ramos Germano
- Departamento de Medicina, Universidade Federal de São Carlos (UFSCar), São Paulo, Brazil
- National Institute on Population Medical Genetics (INAGEMP), Porto Alegre, Brazil
| | - Débora Gusmão Melo
- National Institute on Population Medical Genetics (INAGEMP), Porto Alegre, Brazil
- Departamento de Morfologia e Genética, Escola Paulista de Medicina, Universidade Federal de São Paulo (UNIFESP), São Paulo, Brazil
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Miller CR, Gajos JM, Cropsey KL. School Connectedness and Risk for Sexual Intercourse and Nonconsensual Sex in Adolescence. PREVENTION SCIENCE : THE OFFICIAL JOURNAL OF THE SOCIETY FOR PREVENTION RESEARCH 2024; 25:661-672. [PMID: 38282051 PMCID: PMC11111563 DOI: 10.1007/s11121-023-01635-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 12/28/2023] [Indexed: 01/30/2024]
Abstract
The CDC reports that 30% of high school students have engaged in sexual intercourse. Evidence suggests biological, personal, peer, societal, and family variables affect when a child will initiate sex. The school environment plays an important role in a child's development. Evidence suggests that greater attachment to the school community can modify sexual risk-taking activity in adolescents. Future of Families and Child Wellbeing Study (FFCWS) comprises a cohort of approximately 4,700 families of children born in the U.S. between 1998-2000, over-sampled for non-marital births in large U.S. cities. Adolescents (N = 3,444 of 4,663 eligible) completed the wave six teen survey at approximately age 15. School connectedness was self-reported with four items measuring inclusiveness, closeness, happiness, and safety felt by the adolescent in their school environment. Sexual intercourse and nonconsensual sex were self-reported by the adolescent. Hierarchical regression analyses were conducted examining sexual intercourse, nonconsensual sex, risk factors, and school connectedness. In this sample of adolescents (48% female, 49% Black, 25% Hispanic, ages 14-19), school connectedness appears to reduce boys' risk of nonconsensual sex (OR = 0.29, p < 0.01), and reduce girls' risk of engaging in sexual intercourse (OR = 0.55, p < 0.01). Findings suggest gender differences in the association between school connectedness and sexual practices in adolescents. School connectedness may confer protection for boys' risk of nonconsensual sex, and for girls' risk of engaging in sexual intercourse. Further exploration of the relationship between school connectedness may allow for recommendations into preventative measures for teenage sexual behaviors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chelsea R Miller
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Neurobiology, University of Alabama at Birmingham, 1720 7th Ave S, Office 909, Birmingham, AL, 35233, USA.
| | - Jamie M Gajos
- Department of Family and Community Medicine, The University of Alabama at Birmingham, 1720 2nd Ave South, Birmingham, AL, 35294-0110, USA
| | - Karen L Cropsey
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Neurobiology, University of Alabama at Birmingham, 1670 University Blvd., Volker Hall, Suite L107, Birmingham, AL, 35233, USA
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Yang Y, Kwon JW, Yang Y. [Factors Influencing Sexual Experiences in Adolescents Using a Random Forest Model: Secondary Data Analysis of the 2019~2021 Korea Youth Risk Behavior Web-based Survey Data]. J Korean Acad Nurs 2024; 54:193-210. [PMID: 38863188 DOI: 10.4040/jkan.23134] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/16/2023] [Revised: 03/10/2024] [Accepted: 04/08/2024] [Indexed: 06/13/2024]
Abstract
PURPOSE The objective of this study was to develop a predictive model for the sexual experiences of adolescents using the random forest method and to identify the "variable importance." METHODS The study utilized data from the 2019 to 2021 Korea Youth Risk Behavior Web-based Survey, which included 86,595 man and 80,504 woman participants. The number of independent variables stood at 44. SPSS was used to conduct Rao-Scott χ² tests and complex sample t-tests. Modeling was performed using the random forest algorithm in Python. Performance evaluation of each model included assessments of precision, recall, F1-score, receiver operating characteristics curve, and area under the curve calculations derived from the confusion matrix. RESULTS The prevalence of sexual experiences initially decreased during the COVID-19 pandemic, but later increased. "Variable importance" for predicting sexual experiences, ranked in the top six, included week and weekday sedentary time and internet usage time, followed by ease of cigarette purchase, age at first alcohol consumption, smoking initiation, breakfast consumption, and difficulty purchasing alcohol. CONCLUSION Education and support programs for promoting adolescent sexual health, based on the top-ranking important variables, should be integrated with health behavior intervention programs addressing internet usage, smoking, and alcohol consumption. We recommend active utilization of the random forest analysis method to develop high-performance predictive models for effective disease prevention, treatment, and nursing care.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yoonseok Yang
- Research Center of Healthcare & Welfare Instrument for the Aged, Division of Biomedical Engineering, College of Engineering, Jeonbuk National University, Jeonju, Korea
| | - Ju Won Kwon
- Department of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science, Daegu Gyeongbuk Institute of Science and Technology, Daegu, Korea
| | - Youngran Yang
- College of Nursing, Research Institute of Nursing Science, Jeonbuk National University, Jeonju, Korea.
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Workneh BS, Zegeye AF, Tamir TT, Mekonen EG. Risky sexual behavior and associated factors among reproductive age women in eastern African countries: a multilevel analysis of the recent demographic and health survey. BMC Womens Health 2024; 24:269. [PMID: 38689237 PMCID: PMC11059618 DOI: 10.1186/s12905-024-03107-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/06/2024] [Accepted: 04/23/2024] [Indexed: 05/02/2024] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Risky sexual behavior exposes an individual to the risk of contracting sexually transmitted infections including human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). Even though risky sexual behavior is a devastating problem in low- and middle-income countries, studies on risky sexual behavior and associated factors among reproductive-age women in Eastern African countries are limited. Therefore, this study aimed to assess the magnitude of risky sexual behavior and associated factors among reproductive-age women in Eastern African countries that help to target high-risk groups and set appropriate intervention. METHOD The appended and recent Demographic and Health Survey dataset of 10 Eastern African countries from 2012 to 2022 was used for data analysis. A total of 111,895 participants were included in this study as a weighted sample. Associated factors were determined using a multilevel mixed-effects logistic regression model. Significant factors in the multilevel mixed-effect logistic regression model were declared significant at p-values < 0.05. The adjusted odds ratio (AOR) and confidence interval (CI) were used to interpret the results. RESULT The overall magnitude of risky sexual behavior among reproductive-age women in Eastern African countries was 28.16% (95% CI 27.90%, 28.43%), which ranged from 3.80% in Ethiopia to 67.13% in Kenya. In the multivariable analysis, being a younger woman, being an educated woman, being tested for human immunodeficiency virus, having work, drinking alcohol, and being an urban dweller were factors that were significantly associated with higher odds of risky sexual behavior. CONCLUSION The overall magnitude of risky sexual behavior among reproductive-age women in Eastern African countries was high. Individual-level (being a younger woman, being an educated woman, being tested for human immunodeficiency virus, having work, and drinking alcohol) and community-level (being an urban dweller) variables were associated with higher odds of risky sexual behavior. Therefore, policymakers and other stakeholders should give special consideration to urban dwellers, educated, worker and younger women. Better to improve the healthy behavior of women by minimizing alcohol consumption and strengthening HIV testing and counseling services to reduce the magnitude of risky sexual behavior.
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Affiliation(s)
- Belayneh Shetie Workneh
- Department of Emergency and Critical Care Nursing, School of Nursing, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Gondar, Gondar, Ethiopia.
| | - Alebachew Ferede Zegeye
- Department of Medical Nursing, School of Nursing, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Gondar, Gondar, Ethiopia
| | - Tadesse Tarik Tamir
- Department of Pediatrics and Child Health Nursing, School of Nursing, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Gondar, Gondar, Ethiopia
| | - Enyew Getaneh Mekonen
- Department of Surgical Nursing, School of Nursing, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Gondar, Gondar, Ethiopia
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Skogen JC, Thørrisen MM, Knudsen AKS, Reneflot A, Sivertsen B. Screening student drinking behaviors: examining AUDIT criterion validity using CIDI-based alcohol use disorder as the 'gold standard'. Front Public Health 2024; 12:1328819. [PMID: 38737856 PMCID: PMC11082383 DOI: 10.3389/fpubh.2024.1328819] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/30/2023] [Accepted: 04/10/2024] [Indexed: 05/14/2024] Open
Abstract
Introduction High levels of alcohol consumption among college students have been observed across countries. Heavy drinking episodes are particularly prevalent in this population, making early identification of potentially harmful drinking critical from a public health perspective. Short screening instruments such as the Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test (AUDIT) are serviceable in this regard. However, there is a need for studies investigating the criterion validity of AUDIT in the student population. The aim was to examine the criterion validity of the full AUDIT and AUDIT-C (the first three items directly gauging consumption patterns) in a sample of college and university students using 12-month prevalence of alcohol use disorder derived from an electronic, self-administered version of the World Health Organization (WHO) Composite International Diagnostic Interview, fifth version (CIDI 5.0), which serves as the 'gold standard'. Methods The study population of the current study is derived from the SHoT study (Students' Health and Wellbeing Study), which is a large national survey of students enrolled in higher education in Norway. In a follow-up study of mental disorders among participants of the SHoT2022 study, students were invited to complete a self-administered electronic version of the CIDI. A random sample of 4,642 participants in the nested CIDI-sample was asked to fill out a set of screening instruments, including AUDIT, before starting CIDI. Based on Youden Index maximization, we estimated the sex-specific optimal cut-offs for AUDIT and AUDIT-C in relation to alcohol use disorder, as determined by CIDI. Results For the full AUDIT, the optimal cut-offs were 9 for males and 10 for females. The corresponding cut-offs for AUDIT-C were 6 for males and 5 for females. The same optimal cut-offs for both the full AUDIT and AUDIT-C were replicated in bootstrapped analyses with 1,000 runs. Conclusion The full AUDIT demonstrated acceptable criterion validity with a balance between sensitivity and specificity. However, for AUDIT-C, caution should be exercised when interpreting screening results among college and university students. In conclusion, the full AUDIT is a reliable screening instrument for college and university students, while further modification may be needed for AUDIT-C in this setting.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jens Christoffer Skogen
- Department of Health Promotion, Norwegian Institute of Public Health, Oslo, Norway
- Centre for Evaluation of Public Health Measures, Norwegian Institute of Public Health, Oslo, Norway
- Center for Alcohol and Drug Research (KORFOR), Stavanger University Hospital, Stavanger, Norway
| | - Mikkel Magnus Thørrisen
- Department of Rehabilitation Science and Health Technology, Faculty of Health Sciences, OsloMet – Oslo Metropolitan University, Oslo, Norway
- Department of Public Health, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Stavanger, Stavanger, Norway
| | | | - Anne Reneflot
- Department of Mental Health and Suicide, Norwegian Institute of Public Health, Oslo, Norway
| | - Børge Sivertsen
- Department of Health Promotion, Norwegian Institute of Public Health, Oslo, Norway
- Department of Research and Innovation, Helse-Fonna HF, Haugesund, Norway
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Hanewinkel R, Hansen J. [Binge drinking in early adolescence : Results of the "Präventionsradar" from 2016 to 2023]. Bundesgesundheitsblatt Gesundheitsforschung Gesundheitsschutz 2024; 67:439-445. [PMID: 38502361 DOI: 10.1007/s00103-024-03861-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/02/2023] [Accepted: 02/28/2024] [Indexed: 03/21/2024]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION In Germany, no other psychotropic substance is consumed as often and in such large quantities during adolescence as alcohol. This work aims to examine trends in binge drinking in early adolescence from 2016 to 2023. METHOD Based on seven waves of the "Präventionsradar," which is a school-based epidemiological study in lower secondary education, the lifetime as well as the 30-day prevalence of binge drinking (for girls 4, for boys 5 alcoholic drinks on one occasion) were determined for the period from 2016 to 2023 for 12- to 15-year-olds. RESULTS The analyses were based on 44,713 questionnaires. The sex ratio was balanced (50% female), and the mean age was 13.8 years (SD = 1.02). From 2016 to 2023, lifetime prevalence of binge drinking increased significantly by 3.6 percentage points to 25.3% (95% confidence interval 24.1-26.5). The 30-day prevalence did not change statistically during the observation period and was 15.9% (95% CI 14.9-16.9) in 2023. Compared to the previous year, both lifetime prevalence (-2.5 percentage points) and 30-day prevalence of binge drinking (-3.5 percentage points) decreased significantly in the first year of the COVID-19 pandemic (2020/2021) and increased again in subsequent years. Systematic differences between the genders could not be found. DISCUSSION The German Youth Protection Act does not allow legal access to alcohol for the age group under study. Against this background, it is worrying that every fourth adolescent already reports experiences of binge drinking. Consistent structural and behavioral prevention measures are necessary to curb the high prevalence of binge drinking in childhood and adolescence.
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Affiliation(s)
- Reiner Hanewinkel
- Institut für Therapie- und Gesundheitsforschung, IFT-Nord gGmbH, Harmsstr. 2, 24114, Kiel, Deutschland.
| | - Julia Hansen
- Institut für Therapie- und Gesundheitsforschung, IFT-Nord gGmbH, Harmsstr. 2, 24114, Kiel, Deutschland
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Wagner B, Cleland K. Retail demand for emergency contraception in United States following New Year holiday: time series study. BMJ 2023; 383:e077437. [PMID: 38123174 PMCID: PMC10731423 DOI: 10.1136/bmj-2023-077437] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 11/07/2023] [Indexed: 12/23/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To estimate the increase in sales of emergency contraception following the New Year's Eve/New Year's Day holiday. DESIGN Time series analysis using autoregressive integrated moving average (ARIMA) model. SETTING Traditional (that is, "bricks and mortar") retail outlets-grocery stores, drug stores, mass merchandisers, club stores, dollar stores, and military outlets-in the United States from 2016 to 2022. DATA SOURCE Marketing data on weekly aggregated sales of items classified as emergency contraception gathered between 2016 and 2022 (n=362). On the basis of dates, weeks were classified as following the New Year holiday (n=6) or not (n=356). MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE Weekly sales of levonorgestrel emergency contraception per 1000 women of reproductive age in the US population. RESULTS Sales of levonorgestrel emergency contraception significantly increased after the New Year holiday (0.63 (95% confidence interval 0.58 to 0.69) unit increase per 1000 women aged 15-44). Holidays that share some aspects of the elevated risks of unprotected sexual intercourse with the New Year holiday (Valentine's Day, St Patrick's Day, US Independence Day) were associated with increased sales, albeit to a lesser degree, with respective sales increases per 1000 women aged 15-44 of 0.31 (0.25 to 0.38), 0.14 (0.06 to 0.23), and 0.20 (0.11 to 0.29). Holidays without these expectations (Easter, Mother's Day, Father's Day) were not significantly associated with sales of levonorgestrel emergency contraception. CONCLUSIONS Increased sales of emergency contraception following the New Year's holiday suggest that this period is associated with increased risks of unprotected vaginal intercourse compared with other holidays. Targeting behavioral risks, prevention strategies to mitigate sexual violence, and improving access to contraception around holidays may limit the risks associated with unprotected vaginal intercourse.
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Affiliation(s)
- Brandon Wagner
- Department of Sociology, Anthropology, and Social Work, Texas Tech University. Texas, USA
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Goodyear T, Oliffe JL, Kia H, Jenkins EK, Knight R. "You kind of blame it on the alcohol, but. . .": A discourse analysis of alcohol use and sexual consent among young men in Vancouver, Canada. Health (London) 2023:13634593231214942. [PMID: 38095166 DOI: 10.1177/13634593231214942] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/07/2024]
Abstract
There is growing awareness about issues of sexual consent, especially in autonomy-compromising or "non-ideal" contexts, including sex involving alcohol. Understanding the conditions needed for consensual sex to occur in this emergent milieu is critically important, especially for young men (ages 18-30 years) who normatively combine drinking alcohol with sex and are most often perpetrators of sexual violence. This study offers a discourse analysis of young men's alcohol use and sexual consent. Data are drawn from qualitative interviews with 76 young men (including gay, bisexual, queer, and straight men) in Vancouver, Canada, from 2018 to 2021. Informed by Kukla's non-ideal theory of sexual consent and critical and inclusive masculinities, this analysis identified three discursive frames: careful connections, watering it down, and blurred lines. In careful connections young men discussed their efforts to actively promote sexual and decisional autonomy for themselves and their sexual partners when drinking. Yet, in watering it down young men invoked discourses of disinhibition, deflection, and denial to normalize alcohol use as being somewhat excusatory for sexual violence, downplaying the role and responsibility of men. Lastly, men operationalized blurred lines through a continuum of consent and of "meeting (masculine) expectations" when discussing sexual violence and victimization while intoxicated. Together, these discursive frames provide insights into the gendered nature of sexual violence and the extent to which idealized notions of sexual consent play out in the everyday lives of young men who use alcohol with sex. Findings hold philosophical and pragmatic implications for contemporary efforts to scaffold sexual consent.
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Affiliation(s)
- Trevor Goodyear
- University of British Columbia, Canada
- British Columbia Centre on Substance Use, Canada
- Wellstream: The Canadian Centre for Innovation in Child and Youth Mental Health and Substance Use, Canada
| | - John L Oliffe
- University of British Columbia, Canada
- University of Melbourne, Australia
| | | | - Emily K Jenkins
- University of British Columbia, Canada
- Wellstream: The Canadian Centre for Innovation in Child and Youth Mental Health and Substance Use, Canada
| | - Rod Knight
- British Columbia Centre on Substance Use, Canada
- Université de Montréal, Canada
- Centre de Recherche en Santé Publique (CReSP), Canada
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Chakrabarty M, Singh A. Assessing the link between hygienic material use during menstruation and self-reported reproductive tract infections among women in India: a propensity score matching approach. PeerJ 2023; 11:e16430. [PMID: 38025698 PMCID: PMC10658888 DOI: 10.7717/peerj.16430] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/22/2023] [Accepted: 10/18/2023] [Indexed: 12/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Reproductive tract infections (RTIs) present a substantial health concern for women, especially in developing nations such as India, where inadequate access to proper sanitation and hygiene facilities frequently results in suboptimal menstrual health and hygiene (MHH), exacerbating the risk of RTIs. In this study, we analysed the self-reported prevalence of RTIs among young women in India and evaluated the impact of hygienic menstrual material usage on these RTIs. Methods The study used information on 27,983 women aged 15-24 years, from the National Family Health Survey (NFHS-5) (2019-21). The prevalence of RTIs was calculated for all the states and UTs of India, and propensity score matching (PSM) technique was used to evaluate the impact of hygienic material use on RTIs among women in India. Results Every four out of 100 women reported RTIs in India in 2019-21. Notably, RTI prevalence displayed substantial state-level disparities. West Bengal exhibited the highest RTI prevalence at 9.3%, followed by Meghalaya, Arunachal Pradesh, and Himachal Pradesh, all surpassing 6%. In contrast, the lowest RTI rates were recorded in Puducherry at 0.9%, succeeded by Andaman and Nicobar Islands, Odisha, and Jammu & Kashmir, all registering rates below 2%. The PSM analysis revealed that women who utilized hygienic materials during menstruation exhibited a reduced prevalence of RTIs (referred to as the "treated group" with an Average Treatment Effect on the Treated (ATT) of 0.0315) compared to those who did not utilize such materials (referred to as the "control group" with an ATT of 0.0416). Conclusions The study underscores the critical significance of using hygienic materials during menstruation as a preventive measure against RTIs among women in India. The findings suggest the need for targeted interventions focused at promoting hygienic menstrual materials to reduce the prevalence of RTIs among women in India.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Aditya Singh
- Department of Geography, Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh, India
- Girl Innovation, Research, and Learning (GIRL) Center, Population Council, New York, NY, USA
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