Sarah Khreizat
Pronouns: she/her
Research Mentor(s): David Cordova Jr
Co-Presenter:
Research Mentor School/College/Department: Social Work / Social Work
Presentation Date: April 20
Presentation Type: Poster
Session: Session 3 – 1:40pm – 2:30 pm
Room: League Ballroom
Authors:
Presenter: 8
Abstract
Introduction Substance use and sexual risk behaviors remain major public health concerns in the United States, and youth are disproportionately affected. National surveillance data suggest that alcohol or drug use prior to sex, and unprotected sex among youth are prominent. And yet, research focused on the relationship between alcohol and drug use and unprotected sex among youth remains limited and mixed. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to examine whether alcohol or drug use prior to sex was associated with unprotected sex among youth. Methods The present study used baseline data from a randomized controlled trial focused on preventing substance use and sexual risk behaviors among youth. Participants (N=100) were recruited from a youth-centered health clinic in Southeast Michigan. The youth completed measures to assess their behaviors regarding alcohol or drug use prior to sex and unprotected sex. Data were analyzed first using descriptive statistics, univariate analysis, and regression analysis using SPSS 28.0.1.0 software. Results Descriptive statistics show that the participants identified as White (44.4%, N=44), African American (38.4%, N=48), Mixed (11.1%, N=11), and Hispanic or Latino (5.1%, N=5). Nearly 65% of participants identified as female and 17% identified as male. Participants ranged from 14 to 21, with a mean age of 19.27 (SD= 1.62). Further, 49% report lifetime drug use prior to sex, 57% report lifetime alcohol use prior to sex, and 77.3% of the participants report lifetime condomless vaginal or anal sex. Regression analysis indicate that drug use while having sex was associated lifetime condomless vaginal or anal sex (p=.036). Conclusion Findings suggest that drug use while having sex was associated with unprotected sex. Given the limitations of cross-sectional studies, future research should examine whether these findings hold over time. Clinical and intervention implications are discussed.
Biomedical Sciences, Interdisciplinary, Public Health, Social Sciences
