Alcohol Consumption and Sexual Risk Behaviour among Jamaican Adolescents

Document Type : Research Articles

Authors

1 School of Nursing, Faculty of Medical Sciences, The University of the West Indies, Mona, Kingston, Jamaica

2 Department of Community Health and Psychiatry, The University of the West Indies, Mona, Kingston, Jamaica

3 Department of General Studies and Behavioural Sciences, University of the Commonwealth Caribbean, Kingston, Jamaica

4 College of Medicine, University of Nigeria, Enugu Campus, Enugu, Nigeria

5 College of Health Sciences, Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Nnewi Campus, Nnewi, Nigeria

Abstract

Alcohol consumption has significant health, social and economic implications. Alcohol is the most prevalent
psychoactive substance used by Jamaican adolescents. The aim of this study was to determine whether alcohol is
associated with sexual risk behaviour among Jamaican adolescents. Methods: The data from National Secondary
School Survey (NSS) conducted in 2013 was analysed. Descriptive statistics consisting of frequencies, percentages
and Pearson’s Chi square was done. Multivariate analysis was done using binary logistic regression. Result: The mean
age of alcohol initiation among the participants was 12.3years [SD: 2.74]. There were significant associations between
gender (X2= 14.56; p= 0.000), relationship with father/guardian (X2: 10.71; P= 0.03), relationship with mother
(X2= 15.16; P= 0.004) and conversation with parents/ guardians about dangers of drug abuse (X2= 8.16; P=0.004).
Adolescents who were males (AOR= 0.62, 95% CI= 0.43 - 0.88), in the 8th grade (AOR= 0.51, 95% CI= 0.26 - 0.98) or
in the 10th grade (AOR: 0.52, 95% CI: 0.32 - 0.85) were less likely to engage in sexual risk behaviour. Lifetime alcohol
consumption, past year alcohol consumption and past month alcohol consumption were not significantly associated
with sexual risk behaviour (AOR= 0.35, 95% CI= 0.04 - 3.46; AOR= 1.75, 95% CI= 0.59 - 5.09, AOR= 0.78 95%
CI= 0.56 - 1.11 respectively). Conclusion: Lifetime, past one year and past one month alcohol consumption among
the students were not risk factors for sexual risk behavior (non-condom use) among Jamaican adolescents.

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Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
Volume 19, S1
April 2018
Pages 1-6

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History

  • Receive Date: 03 January 2018
  • Revise Date: 15 April 2018
  • Accept Date: 05 April 2018

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