Journal of Adolescent Health
Volume 47, Issue 1 , Pages 12-19, July 2010

The Impact of Community-Based Sexually Transmitted Infection Screening Results on Sexual Risk Behaviors of African American Adolescents

  • Sharon R. Sznitman, Ph.D.

      Affiliations

    • Adolescent Risk Communication Institute, Annenberg Public Policy Center, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
    • Corresponding Author InformationAddress correspondence to: Sharon R. Sznitman, Ph.D., Annenberg Public Policy Center, Adolescent Risk Communication Institute, University of Pennsylvania, 202 S. 36th Street, Philadelphia, PA 19104.
    • ,
  • Michael P. Carey, Ph.D.

      Affiliations

    • Department of Psychology, Center for Health & Behavior, Syracuse University, Syracuse, New York
    • ,
  • Peter A. Vanable, Ph.D.

      Affiliations

    • Department of Psychology, Center for Health & Behavior, Syracuse University, Syracuse, New York
    • ,
  • Ralph J. DiClemente, Ph.D.

      Affiliations

    • Department of Behavioral Sciences and Health Education, Rollins School of Public Health, Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia
    • ,
  • Larry K. Brown, M.D.

      Affiliations

    • Department of Psychiatry and Human Behavior, Brown University, Providence, Rhode Island
    • ,
  • Robert F. Valois, Ph.D., M.P.H.

      Affiliations

    • Department of Health Promotion, Education, and Behavior, Arnold School of Public Health, University of South Carolina, Columbia, South Carolina
    • ,
  • Michael Hennessy, Ph.D.

      Affiliations

    • Adolescent Risk Communication Institute, Annenberg Public Policy Center, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
    • ,
  • Naomi Farber, Ph.D.

      Affiliations

    • Department of Health Promotion, Education, and Behavior, Arnold School of Public Health, University of South Carolina, Columbia, South Carolina
    • ,
  • Christie Rizzo, Ph.D.

      Affiliations

    • Department of Psychiatry and Human Behavior, Brown University, Providence, Rhode Island
    • ,
  • Angela Caliendo, Ph.D.

      Affiliations

    • Department of Pathology, School of Medicine, Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia
    • ,
  • Laura F. Salazar, Ph.D.

      Affiliations

    • Department of Behavioral Sciences and Health Education, Rollins School of Public Health, Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia
    • ,
  • Bonita F. Stanton, M.D.

      Affiliations

    • Department of Pediatrics, Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, Michigan
    • ,
  • Daniel Romer, Ph.D.

      Affiliations

    • Adolescent Risk Communication Institute, Annenberg Public Policy Center, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Received 27 July 2009; accepted 21 December 2009. published online 08 March 2010.

Abstract 

Purpose

To examine the effect of a community-based sexually transmitted infection (STI) screening program on sexual risk behavior among African American adolescents. We hypothesized that adolescents testing positive for an STI and receiving post-test counseling would reduce risky sexual practices, whereas STI-negative adolescents would show little or no change in protective sexual behavior after screening.

Methods

From August 2006 to January 2008, we recruited 636 sexually active African American adolescents (age, 14–17) from community-based organizations in two mid-sized U.S. cities with high STI prevalence. Participants were screened for three STIs (gonorrhea, chlamydia, and trichomoniasis) and completed an audio computer-assisted self-interview. Youth who tested positive for an STI (6.6%) received treatment and counseling. Youth testing negative received no further intervention. Approximately 85% of participants completed 3- and 6-month follow-up assessments. Generalized estimating equations determined the effects of STI screening on adolescents' number of sexual partners and occurrence of unprotected sex.

Results

Adolescents who tested positive for an STI reduced their number of vaginal and oral sex partners and the probability of unprotected sex. STI-negative adolescents demonstrated no change for numbers of partners or unprotected sex.

Conclusions

Community-based STI screening can help to reduce sexual risk behavior in youth who test positive for STIs. Alternative approaches will be needed to reduce risk behavior in youth who test negative but who are nevertheless at risk for acquiring an STI.

Keywords: Community-based STI screening, STI/HIV prevention, African-American adolescents

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 There are no financial conflicts of interest in relation to this study.

 The data in this study stem from a project funded by the US National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH), Office on AIDS. The content of this article is solely the responsibility of the authors and do not necessarily represent the official views of the NIMH.

PII: S1054-139X(09)00708-3

doi:10.1016/j.jadohealth.2009.12.024

Journal of Adolescent Health
Volume 47, Issue 1 , Pages 12-19, July 2010

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