Sociodemographic markers and behavioral correlates of sexually transmitted infections in a nonclinical sample of adolescent and young adult women.

BACKGROUND

We examined sociodemographic markers and 3-month behavioral correlates of sexually transmitted infections (STIs) in a nonclinical cross-section of adolescent and young adult women.

METHODS

All women (N=2288) enrolled in recruit training for the US Marine Corps during a 1-year period were asked to voluntarily participate in either a cognitive-behavioral, skills-building intervention to prevent STIs and unintended pregnancies or a nutrition and fitness program. Participants (94.2%) completed a self-administered questionnaire and were screened for Chlamydia trachomatis, Neisseria gonorrhoeae, and Trichomonas vaginalis infection. The present study presents only the baseline data from the larger study.

RESULTS

One or more STIs was diagnosed in 14.1% of participants. Results of a logistic-regression model indicated that the presence of an STI at screening was significantly (P<or=.05) associated with the participants' type of residence (rural), age (17-18 and 21-23 years), years of sexual experience (>or=2 years), frequency of hormonal contraceptive use (never and sometimes), perception that their sex partners had other concurrent sex partners, and the race or ethnicity of their last sex partner (African American and Native American).

CONCLUSIONS

The high prevalence of STIs in this nonclinical sample of young women suggests the need for ongoing screening and prevention interventions that target young, healthy, sexually active women.