Highlighting Responsible & Healthy Health Behaviors Among Sexually Active African-American Adolescents

Abstract

By Naomi Admasu, Public Health; 

Advisor: Liliana Rojas-Guyler

Presentation ID: 40

Astract: Positive health behaviors are associated with protective sexual factors. This study assessed healthy sexual behaviors among high-school females. Risky health behaviors such as alcohol use or lack of birth control during sex were assessed. A secondary data analysis of the 2019 YRBSS data of for a subsample of 832 African American/Black females showed most girls engaged in healthy sexuality behaviors. Specifically, 72% reported earning mostly As and Bs, 67% reported abstaining from alcohol, and 62% reported never having had sex. Of the 317 who reported having had sex, 69% used birth control and only 16% reported using drugs or drinking alcohol during sex. As expected students with higher grades also were less likely to use drugs/alcohol [F(262 ,1) = 23.933, p< .05]. Lower participation in risky behaviors among adolescents should be highlighted in health education. Sexuality education research that focuses on understanding the reasons students do should be conducted.