Using Composite Scores to Summarize Adolescent Sexual Risk Behavior: Current State of the Science and Recommendations

Barker, David H.; Scott-Sheldon, Lori A. J.; Stone, Daniel; Brown, Larry K.

doi:10.1007/s10508-019-01526-8

Cited by 7 publications

(2 citation statements)

References 83 publications

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“…27,28]. Because engagement in any one sexual risk behavior during adolescence is relatively low, a composite score (as opposed to rarer dichotomous outcomes on individual indicators) can better capture risk-taking [29]. It has the added benefit of simplifying data presentation when examining multiple model specifications, and has been used to capture HIV risk in prior studies [e.g.…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

A prospective study on adverse childhood experiences and HIV-related risk among adolescents in Malawi

Kidman

Breton

Behrman

et al. 2022

Aids

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Objective:Adverse childhood experiences have been robustly associated with poor sexual health in later life. In low-income countries, there is growing evidence that children experience greater adversity than those in higher income countries. Research suggests this may contribute to later sexual risk taking and HIV infection, though most studies to date have been cross-sectional.Design:We use longitudinal data on adolescents to examine the temporal relationship between adversity and HIV-related behavioral and biological outcomes.Methods:We interviewed 1878 adolescents living in Malawi in 2017–2018 (age 10–16) and again in 2021 (age 13–20). Adolescents completed the Adverse Childhood Experience – International Questionnaire. HIV-risk was assessed through both behavioral (e.g. condom use) and biological (HIV and herpes simplex virus 2 [HSV2] infection) outcomes. ordinary least squares (OLS) and logistic multivariate regression models are used to explore associations between adversity and HIV risk.Results:In longitudinal analyses, adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) were significantly associated with intimate partner violence and girls’ behavioral risk scores only. HIV incidence was too low to model; there were no significant associations with HSV2. In cross-sectional analyses, ACEs were additionally associated with an early sexual debut, lack of condom use, a greater number of sexual partnerships, and sexually transmitted infection symptoms.Conclusions:Our findings emphasize the importance of collecting prospective data: results from longitudinal and cross-sectional analyses drew qualitatively different conclusions. Cross-sectional analyses may not be accurate representations of longitudinal processes. However, they suggest that recent adversity and distress drives HIV-related behavior, perhaps more than early adversity. Interventions that combat emotional abuse or peer violence during adolescence could potentially reduce HIV risk.

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Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

A prospective study on adverse childhood experiences and HIV-related risk among adolescents in Malawi

Kidman

Breton

Behrman

et al. 2022

Aids

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

“…Sexual risk-taking refers to behaviors that can adversely affect reproductive, sexual, and psychological health, leading to sexually transmitted infections (STI), sexual victimization, unwanted pregnancies, and reduced well-being. Risky sexual behaviors typically include coital debut at an early age, unprotected sexual activities, having multiple sexual partners, and engaging in concurrent sexual relationships ( 1 - 3 ). Early sexual debut and having multiple partners are consistently associated with unprotected sex and an increased risk of acquiring an STI ( 4 - 7 ).…”

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confidence: 99%

Changes in sexually transmitted infections-related sexual risk-taking among young Croatian adults: a 2005-2021 three-wave population-based study

et al. 2023

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Aim To assess the prevalence and dynamics of risky sexual behaviors among Croatian emerging adults in the 2005-2021 period. Methods Three surveys were conducted on large-scale national samples of young adults aged 18-24 in 2005 (N = 1092) and 18-25 in 2010 and 2021 (N = 1005 and N = 1210, respectively). The 2005 and 2010 studies were conducted with face-to-face interviews on stratified probabilistic samples. The 2021 study was conducted by computer-assisted web-interviewing on a quota-based random sample from the largest national online panel. ResultsCompared with 2005 and 2010, the age at coital debut increased for both genders in 2021 (by a median of one year, to 18 years, and by a mean of half a year, to 17.5 years, in men and to 17.9 in women). In the 2005-2021 period, condom use increased by about 15% both at first intercourse (to 80%) and in consistent use (to 40% in women and 50% in men). When we controlled for basic socio-demographics, Cox and logistic regressions indicated that, for both genders, in 2005 and 2010 compared with 2021, the risks/odds were significantly higher for reporting an earlier sexual debut (adjusted hazard ratio 1.25-1.37), multiple sexual partners (adjusted odds ratio [AOR] 1.62-3.31), and concurrent relationships (AOR 3.36-4.64), while the odds were lower for condom use at first sexual intercourse (AOR 0.24-0.46) and consistently (AOR 0.51-0.64). ConclusionRisky sexual behaviors decreased in the 2021 survey compared with the previous two waves, in both genders. Nonetheless, sexual risk-taking is still frequent among young Croatian adults. The introduction of sexuality education and other national-level public health interventions to reduce sexual risk-taking thus remains a public health imperative.

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Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder Symptoms Are Associated with Greater Delay Discounting of Condom-Protected Sex and Money

et al. 2020

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Using Composite Scores to Summarize Adolescent Sexual Risk Behavior: Current State of the Science and Recommendations

Cited by 7 publications

References 83 publications

A prospective study on adverse childhood experiences and HIV-related risk among adolescents in Malawi

A prospective study on adverse childhood experiences and HIV-related risk among adolescents in Malawi

Changes in sexually transmitted infections-related sexual risk-taking among young Croatian adults: a 2005-2021 three-wave population-based study

Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder Symptoms Are Associated with Greater Delay Discounting of Condom-Protected Sex and Money

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