New sex partner acquisition and sexually transmitted disease risk among adolescent females

Niccolai, Linda M; Ethier, Kathleen A; Kershaw, Trace S; Lewis, Jessica B; Meade, Christina S; Ickovics, Jeannette R

doi:10.1016/S1054-139X(03)00250-7

« Previous Next »Journal of Adolescent Health
Volume 34, Issue 3 , Pages 216-223, March 2004

New sex partner acquisition and sexually transmitted disease risk among adolescent females

Linda M Niccolai, Ph.D.
- Department of Epidemiology and Public Health, Center for Interdisciplinary Research on AIDS, Yale University, New Haven, Connecticut, USA (L.M.N., T.S.K., J.B.L., J.R.I.)
- Address correspondence to: Linda M. Niccolai, Ph.D., Department of Epidemiology and Public Health, Yale University, PO Box 208034, 60 College Street, New Haven, CT 06520-8034, USA.
Kathleen A Ethier, Ph.D.
- Division of Sexually Transmitted Disease Prevention, Behavioral Interventions and Research Branch, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, Georgia, USA (K.A.E.)
Trace S Kershaw, Ph.D.
- Department of Epidemiology and Public Health, Center for Interdisciplinary Research on AIDS, Yale University, New Haven, Connecticut, USA (L.M.N., T.S.K., J.B.L., J.R.I.)
Jessica B Lewis, B.A.
- Department of Epidemiology and Public Health, Center for Interdisciplinary Research on AIDS, Yale University, New Haven, Connecticut, USA (L.M.N., T.S.K., J.B.L., J.R.I.)
Christina S Meade
- Department of Psychology, Yale University, New Haven, Connecticut, USA (C.S.M., J.R.I.)
Jeannette R Ickovics, Ph.D.
- Department of Epidemiology and Public Health, Center for Interdisciplinary Research on AIDS, Yale University, New Haven, Connecticut, USA (L.M.N., T.S.K., J.B.L., J.R.I.)
- Department of Psychology, Yale University, New Haven, Connecticut, USA (C.S.M., J.R.I.)

Accepted 29 May 2003.

Abstract

Purpose: To determine the association between new sex partner acquisition and incident STDs, to describe predictors of acquiring a new sex partner, and to compare new and established sex partnerships among adolescent females.

Methods

Interview data and biological specimens for STD testing were collected from a sample of 411 adolescent females (average age 17.3 years, 44% black and 42% Hispanic) enrolled in a longitudinal study. The relationship between having a new sex partner and incident STD infection was estimated with logistic regression.

Results

Acquisition of a new sex partner during the 12-month follow-up period was common (24%) and significantly associated with an incident STD infection (OR = 3.0, 95% CI = 1.6–5.7). Predictors of new partner acquisition were younger age, younger age at first intercourse, and alcohol or drug use before sex in past 30 days. Being in a new partnership was significantly associated with greater uncertainty about the partners' STD history and recent sex with others.

Conclusions

Being in a new sex partnership is an important predictor of incident STD infection. Awareness of this risk can help clinicians identify individuals who are more likely to get STDs and therefore target STD testing and appropriate prevention messages.

Keywords: Adolescents, New sex partners, Sexually transmitted diseases