64: Accrual of Sexual Partners After First Coitus: A Prospective Study of Young Women

Article Outline

• Purpose
• Methods
• Results
• Conclusions
• Source of Support
• Copyright

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Purpose 

To prospectively describe accrual of partners, and rate of accrual of partners, from 1^st coitus into young adulthood.

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Methods 

A total of 361 women (89% African-American; ages 14 – 18 at enrollment) were interviewed each 3 months for up to 65 months. Age of 1^st coitus was determined from the enrollment interview, by age at 1^st report of coitus at a quarterly interview or 1^st report at daily diary. First coitus was categorized into 3 age-at-1^st coitus groups: ages 14 or younger; ages 15-16; and ages 17 years and older.

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Results 

Mean age at 1^st coitus was 13.9 years (median = 14, 25^th percentile = 13, 75^th percentile = 15). A total of 237 reported 1^st coitus at age 14 or less; 105 at ages 15-16; 19 at age 17 or older. Slope of lines representing cumulative accrual of partners was similar for those with 1^st coitus age 14 and earlier compared to those with 1^st coitus ages 15/16. These slopes became identical around age 20 (Figure 1). The annual rate of partner accrual was also similar among the earlier 1^st coitus groups, with a substantial increase in rate around age 20 for those with 1^st coitus ages 15/16 (Figure 2).

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Conclusions 

Patterns of sexual partner accrual appear similar for those with very early compared to those with 1^st coitus at ages 15/16, and rates of accrual become quite similar during young adulthood.

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Source of Support 

NIH U19AI43924, R01HD044387.