Risk of depression and multiple sexual risk-taking behaviours in adolescents in Nova Scotia, Canada
Don Langille A C , Mark Asbridge A , Steve Kisely B and Kevin Wilson A
+ Author Affiliations
- Author Affiliations
A Department of Community Health and Epidemiology, 5790 University Avenue, Dalhousie University, Halifax, Nova Scotia B3H 1V7, Canada.
B Health LinQ, Level 4, Room 416, School of Population Health, Herston Road, The University of Queensland, Herston, Qld 4004, Australia.
C Corresponding author. Email: Donald.Langille@Dal.Ca
Sexual Health 9(3) 254-260 https://doi.org/10.1071/SH11029
Submitted: 25 February 2011 Accepted: 28 July 2011 Published: 19 December 2011
Abstract
Background: Although depression is known to be associated with adolescent sexual risk-taking, Canadian studies are few, many have lacked appropriate controls and none has examined the associations of depression with multiple sexual risk-taking behaviours. We tested associations between multiple sexual risk-taking and risk of depression, controlling for other factors, including social capital, in high school students in Nova Scotia, Canada. Methods: We surveyed sexually active male (n = 418) and female (n = 467) adolescents. Participants were asked about their risk of depression, perceptions of social capital, substance use, sociodemographic factors and sexual behaviours. Multinomial logistic regressions were used to determine associations of risk of depression with various levels of sexual risk-taking. Results: In unadjusted models, risk of depression was associated with two or more v. no sexual risk behaviours among both males and females. After controlling for other variables, risk of depression remained significantly associated with two or more sexual risks v. no risks for both females and males (relative risk ratios (RRR) of 2.5; 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.4–4.5 and 3.5; 95% CI 1.6–7.82 respectively) and for one v. no risks for females (RRR = 1.9; 95% CI 1.1–3.5). One measure of social capital was associated with multiple risks in females. Conclusions: The consistent, independent associations of risk of depression with multiple sexual risks should lead health care workers interacting with adolescents to ask about sexual risk behaviours among patients with symptoms of depression. Alternatively, patients who engage in sexual risk-taking might be screened for depression.
Additional keywords: mental health, school students, social capital, sociodemographics.
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