SEXUAL COMMUNICATION IS ASSOCIATED WITH CONDOM USE BY SEXUALLY ACTIVEINCARCERATED ADOLESCENTS

Purpose, Incarcerated adolescents are at increased risk for infection by sexually transmitted diseases (STDs), including human immunodeficie ncy virus (HIV). Moreover, condom use by this population is extremely low. Although interpersonal variables such as sexual communication hav e been found to be associated with condom use in other populations, fe w researchers have investigated this relationship among adolescents re quiring detention in juvenile facilities. The present study investigat ed the relationship between communication about sexual history and inc arcerated adolescents' condom use. Methods: We used multivariate logis tic regression techniques to analyze interview data from a predominant ly Latino sample of 2,132 sexually active adolescents detained in Los Angeles County Juvenile Hall. Results: Despite high numbers of lifetim e sexual partners, a substantial majority of respondents (67%) reporte d that they never used condoms during sexual intercourse. Respondents who communicated with their sex partner(s) about each others' sexual h istory were significantly more likely to use condoms during sexual int ercourse. Adolescents who reported that they knew someone with AIDS we re also more likely to use condoms. Conclusions: Interventions designe d to increase condom use among sexually active incarcerated adolescent s should include a component addressing sexual communication practices . More research is needed on the ways in which adolescents learn to co mmunicate about sex.