Condom Use for Sexually Transmitted Infection Prevention among Hispanic Teenage Mothers: A Community-Based Randomized Trial

Matthew Lee Smith, Kelly L. Wilson, Caroline D. Bergeron

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

5 Scopus citations

Abstract

Background: Hispanics experience a higher prevalence of sexually transmitted infections (STIs) than non-Hispanics. Specifically, Hispanic teenagers are more at risk for HIV, have close to four times the rate of primary and secondary syphilis, and close to two times the rate of chlamydia and gonorrhea compared with non-Hispanic white teenagers. Hispanic youth engage in sexual activity at a younger age than non-Hispanic white youth and are less likely to use condoms in these encounters, thereby contributing to increased rates of teenage pregnancy and STIs. Prevention of STIs is needed for unmarried Hispanic teenage mothers. The purpose of this study was to examine whether Project Mothers and Schools (Project MAS), a support program for parenting teenagers, changed condom use to prevent STIs among Hispanic participants. Methods: A longitudinal study was conducted among 84 Hispanic teenage mothers. Generalized estimating equations were used to identify factors associated with participants' reported condom use to prevent STIs. Results: Overall, participants were 3.21 times more likely to report condom use to prevent STIs from baseline to 12-month follow-up (p = 0.030). Those using condoms to prevent pregnancy at 12-month follow-up were significantly more likely to report using a condom to prevent STIs (OR = 3.23, p = 0.017). Conclusions: Participation in Program MAS improved condom use patterns for STI prevention. These services and supports have potential to change unmarried Hispanic teenage mothers' condom use behaviors and decrease STI infection disparities among the teenage Hispanic population.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)534-540
Number of pages7
JournalJournal of Women's Health
Volume29
Issue number4
DOIs
StatePublished - Apr 2020

Keywords

  • condom use
  • Hispanic population
  • sexually transmitted infection
  • teenage mothers

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • General Medicine

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