Predictors of Sexually Transmitted Infection in Australian Women: Evidence from the Australian Longitudinal Study on Women’s Health

Abstract

This longitudinal study examined characteristics of women diagnosed with sexually transmitted infections (STI) for the first time in their later 20s and early 30s. Participants were 6,840 women (born 1973-1978) from the Australian Longitudinal Study on Women's Health. Women aged 18-23 years were surveyed in 1996 (S1), 2000 (S2), 2003 (S3), and 2006 (S4). There were 269 women reporting an STI for the first time at S3 or S4. Using two multivariable logistic regression analyses (examining 18 predictor variables), these 269 women were compared (1) with 306 women who reported an STI at S2 and (2) with 5,214 women who never reported an STI across the four surveys. Women who reported an STI for the first time at S3 or S4 were less likely to have been pregnant or had a recent Pap smear compared to women reporting an STI at S2. Women reporting a first STI at S3 or S4 were less likely to have been pregnant or had a recent Pap smear compared to women reporting an STI at S2. Women were more likely to report an STI for the first time at S3 or S4 compared to women not reporting an STI at any survey if they were younger, unpartnered, had a higher number of sexual partners, had never been pregnant, were recently divorced or separated, and reported poorer access to Women's Health or Family Planning Centres at S2. These findings demonstrate the value of longitudinal studies of sexual health over the life course beyond adolescence.

The burden of chlamydia, gonorrhea, and syphilis in older adults in the United States: A systematic review

“…Many studies, including those from national health agencies, do not stratify STI data beyond 45 or 55 years of age, which could overlook important variations in STI rates within the last three to four decades of life. 36,38 Substantial variation in study design for the articles included in this review also makes it difficult to provide a summary estimate of STIs among this age group. Additionally, many studies utilized convenience samples from diagnostic testing and assessed test positivity rather than prevalence, which likely provide an inaccurate estimate of the true prevalence of infection.…”

Understanding the Link Between Early Sexual Initiation and Later Sexually Transmitted Infection: Test and Replication in Two Longitudinal Studies

“…Ample literature links pubertal timing, early sex, and number of sexual partners [4, 11–15]. Studies have further linked number of sexual partners and STI [13, 16, 17]. James [14] used path modeling to show the causal chain between pubertal timing, age of initiation, and sexual risk behavior, but did not evaluate the effect on STI itself.…”

Sexually Transmitted Diseases Among College Students in Sierra Leone: A Life Course Ecological Analysis

“…Consistent with life course theory, which suggests that the times when significant life events occur impact one's developmental trajectories, we theorize that students exposed to childhood abuse or trauma have a higher likelihood of engaging in sexual risk behaviors compared with those who have not been exposed, controlling for other factors such as parenting style, gender, and home environment (Lucke et al 2013;Haydon et al 2014;Rapp 2018;Thomeer et al 2016). The current study applies the concepts of life course theory to examine the relationship between ACEs and sexual risk.…”

“…(3) timing of life events, as it is assumed that the time when significant events occur in one's life will impact one's developmental trajectories; and (4) developmental risk and protection, as one life event or transition impacts subsequent events and transitions, and either may put it at risk or protect the life-course trajectory Elder et al 2003;Giele and Elder 1998;Hutchison 2019). The life course theory has been applied to studies examining individuals' experiences with early initiation of sexual activities (EISA) (e.g., Haydon et al 2014), multiple sexual partners (e.g., Rapp 2018), psychological harm (e.g., Thomeer et al 2016), and sexually transmitted diseases (e.g., Lucke et al 2013), which impact health trajectories.…”