Frequency of Alcohol Use in Adolescence as a Marker for Subsequent Sexual Risk Behavior in Adulthood

Abstract

Purpose Although a number of studies have demonstrated an association between alcohol use frequency and sexual risk behavior, few have used longitudinal data. This study examined alohol use frequency in adolescence as a predictor of HIV sexual risk behavior in adulthood. Methods We collected data among 1368 participants in Colorado. During adolescence (Time 1), respondents were asked about the frequency of using alcohol during the previous 12 months. In adulthood (Time 2), the same respondents were asked about their sexual risk behavior during the previous 12 months. Sexual risk behavior items were used to construct an index, which was categorized to indicate low, medium and high risk study participants. The relationship between alcohol use patterns and risky sexual behavior was modeled using ordinal regression. Results Compared to individuals who drank no alcohol in the past 12 months at Time 1, the odds of being in a higher risk group of sexual behavior as opposed to a lower one at Time 2 were 1.56 (95% CI, 1.04-2.35) among those who drank 6-19 times. Similarly, the odds of being in a higher risk group relative to a lower one among those who drank ≥20 times or were 1.78 (95% CI, 1.05-3.02). Conclusion Alcohol use patterns in adolescence may be useful markers for programs that aim to prevent risky sexual behavior. Based on alcohol intake patterns, it may be possible to identify frequent alcohol users that need to be targeted with appropriate alcohol use and HIV risk reduction messages.

Utilizing a Qualitative and Quantitative Approach to Examine Substance Use and Parental Communication among African American Youth

“…The correlation between substance use and the age of first sexual intercourse was statistically significant, r (89) = +.248, p < .005 (two-tailed). As indicated in prior research studies (Muchimba, Haberstick, Corley, & McQueen, 2013), the individuals who used drugs were more likely to have an earlier onset of first sexual intercourse and less condom use than their counterparts who did not use drugs in our study. The individuals who used drugs were also more likely to have multiple partners.…”

Using marijuana, drinking alcohol or a combination of both: the association of marijuana, alcohol and sexual risk behaviour among adolescents

“…There is a significant association between alcohol consumption and sexual risk behavior in adolescents (Baskin-Sommers & Sommers, 2006; Bryan et al, 2007; Connell et al, 2009). Additionally, adolescent alcohol use has been shown to be highly predictive of subsequent sexual risk behavior in young adulthood (Khan et al, 2012; Muchimba et al, 2013).…”

AMP!: A Cross-site Analysis of the Effects of a Theater-based Intervention on Adolescent Awareness, Attitudes, and Knowledge about HIV

“…Adolescence is a critical period in the life course, often associated with a marked increase in experimentation with substance use, sexual activity, and other high-risk health behaviors (Muchimba, Haberstick, Corley, & McQueen, 2013; Moss, Chen, & Yi, 2014). According to the most recent Youth Risk Behavior Survey, 47% of high school students reported having had sexual intercourse, 41% did not use a condom during last sexual intercourse, and 22% reported having consumed alcohol or drugs before their last sexual intercourse (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention [CDC], 2014).…”