Methamphetamine Use and High Risk Sexual Risk Behaviors among Incarcerated Female Adolescents with a Diagnosed STD

Background:
The use of methamphetamine (MA) is associated with high risk sexual behaviors, yet little is known about its use and attendant risk behaviors among incarcerated female adolescents.

Objective:
To identify demographic characteristics and risk factors associated with methamphetamine use among incarcerated adolescents.

Method:
Self-reported drug use, sexual risk behaviors and demographic data were examined from 478 interviews of confirmed chlamydia or gonorrhea cases diagnosed in juvenile hall in 2006. Bivariate analyses were conducted and logistic regression was used to determine predictors of methamphetamine use.

Result:
Mean results are as follows: age at arrest (16.0), age of first sexual experience (13.0) and number of lifetime sexual partners (6.0). The sample was African American (49%), Hispanic (37%), White (7%) and Other (7%). STD diagnoses were: chlamydia (72%), gonorrhea (11%) or both (17%). Other sexual behaviors were: no condoms used at last sex (63%), prior pregnancy (26.2%), prior STD (25.3%), prior sexual abuse (20%), ever traded sex (17%), have children (11%), and currently pregnant (6.3%). Daily or weekly substance use was reported for any drug (51%), marijuana (36%), alcohol (21%), polydrug use (20%) and methamphetamine (15%). In multivariate analysis, methamphetamine users were more likely to be Hispanic (OR=6.30, CI: 3.6, 11.40) and report marijuana use (OR=2.00, CI: 1.18, 3.62) and less likely to report condom use at last sexual encounter (OR=.56, CI: .32, .96).

Conclusion:
This is one of the few studies of MA use among STD positive, incarcerated adolescents. Ethnic differences, drug use, and risky sexual behavior remained significant after adjusting for demographic and behavioral factors

Implications:
Recognition of methamphetamine use among incarcerated female adolescents increases the need to provide interventions that address their drug use and risky sexual behaviors through screening, referrals to drug treatment and post-release case management.