AGE OF FIRST INTERCOURSE AND RISK OF SEXUALLY-TRANSMITTED-DISEASE

Study Objective: This study examines the risk of acquisition of multip le episodes of a sexually transmitted disease (STD) as it relates to a ge of first intercourse and sexual behaviors among high risk adolescen t females. Design: A linear regression model was used to predict numbe r of STD episodes. The relationship between number of STDs and age at first intercourse was also examined with a contingency table. Setting: Sexually active female adolescents (n = 248) from an urban primary ca re adolescent clinic were interviewed regarding sexual behaviors by a female research assistant. Participants: The girls ranged in age from 12 to 21 (mean = 16.9 years); 80% were African-American and 20% were c aucasian. The age of first intercourse ranged from 10 to 18. Seventy-f our percent of the girls had a history of an STD. Results: In the fina l regression mode (adjusted R(2) = 0.28), a higher number of episodes of STD was significantly related to having a younger age of first inte rcourse (p < 0.05), more Lifetime partners (p < 0.01), and a longer ti me since first intercourse (p < 0.01). A 4 x 3 contingency table of ag e of first intercourse and history of STD revealed that those adolesce nts who are under 13 years when they initiate intercourse are at signi ficantly higher risk for acquiring STD, and those that are 17 and olde r are at significantly lower risk (chi-square = 25.11, p < 0.01). Conc lusions: These findings are discussed in relation to behavioral risk f actors and interventions which aid girls to postpone sexual involvemen t to the later teen years.