PT  - JOURNAL ARTICLE
AU  - Jacky M Jennings
AU  - Robert F Luo
AU  - Laura V Lloyd
AU  - Charlotte Gaydos
AU  - Jonathan M Ellen
AU  - Cornelis A Rietmeijer
TI  - Age-bridging among young, urban, heterosexual males with asymptomatic <em>Chlamydia trachomatis</em>
AID  - 10.1136/sti.2006.023556
DP  - 2007 Apr 01
TA  - Sexually Transmitted Infections
PG  - 136--141
VI  - 83
IP  - 2
4099  - http://sti.bmj.com/content/83/2/136.short
4100  - http://sti.bmj.com/content/83/2/136.full
SO  - Sex Transm Infect2007 Apr 01; 83
AB  - Objectives: To determine the prevalence of age-bridgers among urban males aged 14–24 years, asymptomatically infected with chlamydia and to determine factors that distinguish age-bridgers from non age-bridgers. An index was defined as an age-bridger if within 2 months, he had had at least two sexual partners who differed from him in age by ⩾2 years. Methods: Infected males provided data about themselves and up to four sexual partners in the past 2 months. Bivariate and multivariable logistic regression was used in the analysis. Results: The prevalence of age bridging was 21% in Baltimore and 26% in Denver. In both cities, in bivariate analysis, age-bridgers and their partners engaged in significantly more risky sexual behaviours. In adjusted multivariable analysis after controlling for number of sexual partners, age bridging was associated with having a sexual partner in the past 2 months, who, at time of last sexual intercourse, was drinking. Conclusion: Age-bridgers represented major proportions of the study populations and, along with their sexual partners, were more likely to engage in risky sexual behaviours. Male age-bridgers may be key players in the transmission of sexually transmitted infections among youth linking age-disparate sexual networks.