FACTORS ASSOCIATED WITH SEXUAL RISK-TAKING BEHAVIORS AMONG ADOLESCENTS

This study examines factors that distinguish between sexually active a dolescents who are at risk for pregnancy and for sexually transmitted diseases and sexually active teens who are at lower risk for these out comes. The study is based on a representative survey of 2,567 teenager s from four rural Midwestern counties. Several characteristics of the adolescents and their families were found to distinguish between sexua l risk takers and those at lower risk for sexually transmitted disease s and teenage pregnancy.