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The association between substance use and risky sexual behaviors among middle school children.

Gerbi GB, Davis CG, Habtemariam T, Tameru B, Nganwa D, Robnett V

Center for Computational Epidemiology, Bioinformatics and Risk Analysis (CCEBRA), College of Veterinary Medicine, Nursing & Allied Health (CVMNAH), Tuskegee University, 104 Williams-Bowie Hall, Tuskegee, AL, 36088, USA, gbeyene@tuskegee.edu.

The objective of the study was to determine if a significant association existed between substance use and risky sexual behaviors among middle school children. Data were collected in May 2002 using a questionnaire. A chi-square test was used for data analysis. The results showed that alcohol, cocaine, marijuana and tobacco use are strong predictors of risky sexual behaviors. These findings will be of use to health care practitioners and health educators seeking to reduce the risk of infection with HIV and other sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) among the middle school children.

Published 22 February 2008 in J Behav Med.
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