Original article
Religiosity and risky sexual behavior in African-American adolescent females

https://doi.org/10.1016/S1054-139X(02)00460-3Get rights and content

Abstract

Purpose

The full text of this article is available via JAH Online at www.elsevier.com/locate/jahonline To examine the association between religiosity (defined by frequency of engaging in religious/spiritual activities) and African-American adolescent females’ sexual behaviors, attitudes toward sex, and ability to negotiate safer sex.

Methods

Between December 1996 and April 1999, 1130 female adolescents were screened for eligibility in a sexually transmitted disease (STD)/human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) prevention trial. Data collection was achieved through a confidential self-administered questionnaire that examined religiosity and a structured interview regarding sexual behavior. Descriptive statistics were used to characterize the sociodemographics of the sample and logistic regression was used to measure the association between religiosity and the outcome variables.

Results

In the study sample (n = 522), 64% of the adolescents had higher religiosity scores based on a 4-item scale (α = .68). Results indicate that adolescents who had higher religiosity scores were significantly more likely to have higher self-efficacy in communicating with new, as well as steady male partners about sex; about STDs, HIV, and pregnancy prevention; and in refusing an unsafe sexual encounter. These adolescents were also more likely to have initiated sex at a later age, used a condom in the past 6 months, and possess more positive attitudes toward condom use.

Conclusions

Results from this study indicate a relationship between religiosity and sexual behaviors, attitudes toward sex, and ability to negotiate safer sex.

Section snippets

Participants

From December 1996 through April 1999, 1130 female adolescents who attended adolescent medicine clinics, health department clinics, and school health classes were screened for eligibility in an STD/HIV-prevention trial. The recruitment sites were in neighborhoods characterized by high rates of unemployment, substance abuse, and STDs. There were no statistically significant differences in sexual behavior (episodes of sexual intercourse and condom use in the last 6 months) or in prevalence of

Univariate analyses

This sample reported a high degree of religious involvement; 63.5% of the adolescents reported high religiosity scores (≥ 10). Almost two-thirds of the sample (71.5%) listed Baptist as their religious affiliation. The mean age of the participants was 16 years. Approximately 81% were full-time students, and the largest percentage (28%) reported having completed their freshman year of high school. Only 21.6% stated that they were living in a dual-parent household, whereas 57.5% reported living in

Discussion

This study examined the associations between religiosity, defined as religious involvement and practices, and STD/HIV-preventive behaviors among African-American adolescent females. Findings suggest that greater religious involvement is a protective factor. Adolescents who had higher religiosity scores were significantly more likely to have higher self-efficacy in communicating with both new and steady partners about sex; communicating about STDs, HIV, and pregnancy prevention with their

Acknowledgements

This study was supported by grant 1R01 MH54412 from the Center for Mental Health Research on AIDS, National Institute of Mental Health, Rockville, Maryland (Drs. DiClemente, Wingood, and Davies, and Katherine Harrington); and an Association of Teachers of Preventive Medicine/CDC STD Prevention Fellowship (Dr. McCree).

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