Paper Title
Patterns of sexual partnerships among adolescent females
Keywords
- adolescent sexual partnerships
- sexual relationship patterns
- coital events
- partner dynamics
- serial monogamy
- concurrent partnerships
- condom use
- sexual health
- sti prevention
- risk assessment
- adolescent sexual behavior
- relationship duration
- sexual networks
- partner variation
- public health
- sexual risk
- protective behaviors
- adolescent health
- sexual activity tracking
- coital logs
- behavioral patterns
- safe sex practices
- youth sexuality
- epidemiology of stis
- health disparities
- sexual decision-making
- sexual behavior
- sexually transmitted diseases
- sexuality
- risk behavior
Article Type
Research Article
Journal
Research Impact Tools
Publication Info
Volume: 24 | Issue: 5 | Pages: 300–303
Published On
May, 1999
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Abstract
Objective: To develop a multidimensional classification of sexual partnerships. Methods: Eighty-two female subjects (ages 15–20 years; 77% African American) used coital logs to record dates of 1265 coital events, partner initials, and condom use. Logs were collected at 1-, 3-, 9-, 15-, and 21-month return visits. Three adolescent health professionals independently classified partnership patterns of each subject; classification schemes were revised until complete consensus for each subject was obtained. Results: Complete agreement in partnership classification was reached after 3 rounds. The consensus partnership classification had three dimensions: number (1, ≥2 partners), pattern (1 partner, serially exclusive, concurrent), and duration (any partnership ≤21 days, all partnerships >21 days). A total of 34 of 82 (34%) of subjects had ≥2 partners; 11 of 34 (32%) had concurrent partnerships. Twenty of 82 (24%) had only partnerships lasting >21 days. Condom use was less common for subjects in only longer-term (>21 days) partnerships, but did not significantly vary by number or pattern. Conclusion: Multiple dimensions of adolescent sexual partnerships may be identified. Detailed research and clinical assessments along these dimensions may improve understanding of protective behaviors such as condom use.
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