Affiliation:
1. Divisions of Adolescent and School Health
2. Oak Ridge Institute for Science and Education, Oak Ridge, Tennessee
3. NORC at the University of Chicago, Chicago, Illinois
4. Reproductive Health, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, Georgia
Abstract
OBJECTIVES
National guidelines call for annual testing for certain sexually transmitted infections (STIs) among specific adolescent populations, yet we have limited population-based data on STI testing prevalence among adolescents. With inclusion of a new item in the 2019 national Youth Risk Behavior Survey, we provide generalizable estimates of annual STI testing among sexually active high school students.
METHODS
We report weighted prevalence estimates of STI testing (other than HIV) in the past 12 months among sexually active students (n = 2501) and bivariate associations between testing and demographic characteristics (sex, age, race and ethnicity, sexual identity, and sex of sexual contact). Multivariable models stratified by sex and adjusted for demographics examine the relationships between testing and sexual behaviors (age of initiation, number of sex partners, condom nonuse at last sexual intercourse, and substance use at last sexual intercourse).
RESULTS
One-fifth (20.4%) of sexually active high school students reported testing for an STI in the previous year. A significantly higher proportion of female (26.1%) than male (13.7%) students reported testing. Among female students, prevalence differed by age (≤15 years = 12.6%, age 16 = 22.8%, age 17 = 28.5%, or ≥18 years = 36.9%). For male students, there were no differences by demographic characteristics, including sexual identity, but most sexual risk behaviors were associated with increased likelihood of STI testing (adjusted prevalence ratios ranging from 1.48 to 2.47).
CONCLUSIONS
Low prevalence of STI testing suggests suboptimal adherence to national guidelines, particularly for sexually active adolescent females and young men who have sex with men who should be tested for Chlamydia and gonorrhea annually.
Publisher
American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP)
Subject
Pediatrics, Perinatology and Child Health
Cited by
14 articles.
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