Risk Factors of Repeated Infectious Disease Incidence among Substance-Dependent Girls & Boys Court-Referred to Treatment

BACKGROUND:

A small portion of Americans account for a disproportionate amount of the incidences of sexually transmitted infection observed over a short period of time. Studies with adults have begun to characterize this population, yet there is very little data on adolescent sexually transmitted infection repeaters (STIR). This study explores characteristics associated with STIR among 102 girls and 93 boys (aged 14-18) court-referred for residential treatment.

METHODS:

Background characteristics, substance use disorders, risky and interpersonal behaviors, and history of sexually transmitted infections were collected at intake using valid and reliable instruments. A negative binomial logistic regression was performed to determine the background, risky behaviors, and social patterns associated with adolescent STIR.

RESULTS:

Approximately two out of three adolescents (62%) did not use contraception the last time they had sex, and 15% had at least one sexually transmitted infection recorded in their medical chart. Sexually transmitted infection repeaters entered treatment with higher rates of cocaine abuse (13%) than youth without multiple infections (3%, p < 0.05). History of sexual abuse, having sex with a person who said no, higher exhibitionism, and social estrangement increased the odds of adolescent STIR. Main effects of exhibitionism and social estrangement on increased odds of STIR were more pronounced for sexually abused adolescents.

CONCLUSIONS:

The findings suggest a need for incorporating HIV education during residential treatment to improve health outcomes and intervention strategies that further connectedness for youth and victims of sexual abuse.

Substance use disorders associated with sexually transmitted infection repeaters (STIR).

Substance use disorder (current)	Total 195 (100%)	Non-STIR 179 (92%)	STIR 16 (8%)
Alcohol
Abuse	36 (18%)	35 (20%)	1 (6%)
Dependency	118 (61%)	90 (89%)	11 (69%)
Drug
Abuse	12 (6%)	11 (6%)	1 (6%)
Dependency	193 (99%)	178 (99%)	15 (94%)
Marijuana
Abuse	18 (9%)	17 (10%)	1 (6%)
Dependency	179 (92%)	165 (92%)	14 (88%)
Narcotics
Abuse	22 (11%)	20 (11%)	2 (13%)
Dependency	58 (30%)	54 (30%)	4 (25%)
Hallucinogen
Abuse	16 (8%)	16 (9%)	0 (0%)
Dependency	57 (29%)	51 (29%)	6 (38%)
Cocaine
Abuse	8 (4%)	6 (3%)	2 (13%)*
Dependency	50 (26%)	48 (27%)	2 (13%)
Stimulants
Abuse	11 (6%)	9 (5%)	2 (13%)
Dependency	49 (25%)	46 (26%)	3 (19%)
Inhalants
Abuse	5 (3%)	5 (3%)	0 (0%)
Dependency	11 (6%)	11 (6%)	0 (0%)
Tranquilizers
Abuse	14 (7%)	14 (8%)	0 (0%)
Dependency	39 (20%)	35 (20%)	4 (25%)

*p < 0.05.

Full article at:   http://goo.gl/GCuHCA

By:  Pagano ME1, Maietti CM, Levine AD.

¹Department of Psychiatry, Division of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine, Cleveland, OH, USA

²Department of Pediatrics and Molecular Biology and Microbiology, Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine, Cleveland, OH, USA

Address correspondence to: Maria E. Pagano, PhD, Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine, Department of Psychiatry, Division of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry, WO Walker Center, 10524 Euclid Avenue, Cleveland, OH, 44106, USA. Tel: +1 216 844 2767. Fax: +1 216 844 5883. Email: ude.esac@onagap.airam

Am J Drug Alcohol Abuse. 2015 May;41(3):230-6. doi: 10.3109/00952990.2014.939753. Epub 2014 Aug 20.

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