Developmental investigation of age at sexual debut and subsequent sexual risk behaviours: a study of high-risk young black males
Richard Crosby A D , Angelica Geter A , JaNelle Ricks B , Jamal Jones C and Laura F. Salazar C
+ Author Affiliations
- Author Affiliations
A College of Public Health at the University of Kentucky, 151 Washington Avenue, Lexington, KY 40506-0003, USA.
B Rollins School of Public Health at Emory University, 1516 Clifton Avenue, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA.
C School of Public Health at Georgia State University, PO Box 3965, Atlanta, GA 30302-3965, USA.
D Corresponding author. Email: crosby@uky.edu
Sexual Health 12(5) 390-396 https://doi.org/10.1071/SH14074
Submitted: 15 April 2014 Accepted: 27 April 2015 Published: 29 June 2015
Abstract
Background: The purpose of this study was to identify unmediated associations of early sexual debut (ESD) on the current safer sex practices of young Black men (YBM). Methods: A cross-sectional study of YBM (n = 697) attending clinics treating sexually transmissible diseases (STIs) in three cities was conducted. ESD was dichotomised at the age of 13 years and under. A series of regression models were used to test the moderating effects of ESD and perceived parental monitoring (PPM). A regression model also tested the effect of years of sexual experience (YSE) on sexual risk behaviours, while controlling for ESD. Results: Mean age of debut was 13.95 years. ESD results varied with significance for pregnancy (P < 0.001), sexual partners (P < 0.001), and ever having chlamydia (assessed by self report), but this final association was only found for older males (P = 0.03). PPM held no moderating effect on any of the sexual risk outcomes. YSE was correlated with an increase in recent unprotected vaginal sex (AOR = 1.19, 95%CI = 1.10–1.27) and having a pregnant partner at the time of enrolment (AOR = 1.30, 95%CI = 1.17–1.43). Conclusions: The findings provide mixed evidence for unmediated associations of ESD among young Black males. The study strongly posits that ESD may actually be a mediating variable rather than a causal explanation for sexual risk. The findings also suggest that advancing YSE foster diminishing vigilance in safer sex practices. These outcomes should be utilised to inform intervention development.
Additional keywords: condoms, randomised controlled trial, sexual behaviour, sexually transmissible diseases, young men.
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