Patterns of Condom use Among
Adolescents:
The Impact of Mother-Adolescent Communication
American Journal of Public
Health, October 1, 1998
CDC
Releases Compelling Evidence that Effective Parent-Child Communication Can Help Teens Make
Life-Saving Decisions
Frank
discussions between mothers and their adolescents about condom use can lead teens to adopt
behaviors that will prevent them from becoming infected with HIV and other sexually
transmitted diseases, according to a study published in the October 1, 1998, issue of the American
Journal of Public Health. The findings are from interviews conducted with 372 sexually
active adolescents (14- to 17-year-olds) in New York, Alabama, and Puerto Rico. The study
found that mother-adolescent discussions about condom use before first sexual intercourse
greatly increased the percentage of young people who use condoms, both for their first
intercourse and for subsequent acts. Below are highlights from the article:
- Overall, 71% of teens in the study reported having
discussed condom use with their mothers. Male adolescents discussed condom use with their
mothers at an earlier age than females (12.9 years vs. 13.5 years, respectively).
- Timing of discussions is critical: Condom use increased
only among teens whose mothers talked to them about condoms before their first
sexual encounter. These teens were 3 times more likely to use condoms than teens who
either never discussed condoms with their mothers or who discussed condom use only after
initiating sexual activity.
- Condom use at first intercourse dramatically predicted
future use. Teens who used condoms at first intercourse were 20 times more likely to use
condoms in subsequent acts.
- The average age of sexual initiation in the sample was 13.8
years.
These findings underscore the important role parents can
play in HIV prevention among young people. Parents are in a unique position to engage
their children in a dialogue about HIV and STD prevention. Discussions must begin
earlyBbefore adolescents begin engaging in sexual activitiesBand should continue
throughout their child=s development.
CDC
estimates that half of all HIV infections in the U.S. occur among young people under the
age of 25, and HIV infection is the sixth leading cause of death among 15- to 24-year-olds
in the U.S. In addition, three million cases of other STDs occur each year among teens,
and up to one million teens become pregnant in the U.S. each year. CDC believes it is
critical to reach young people with comprehensive prevention messages to both delay first
intercourse among teens and to increase condom use among young people who are sexually
active. |
