Date of Conferral

2023

Degree

Ph.D.

School

Public Health

Advisor

Leah Miller

Abstract

Sexually transmitted infections (STIs) are a major public health problem in the United States. Adolescents are a high majority of these cases, with African American adolescents being affected disproportionally. Previous research has shown that risky sexual behaviors, such as non-condom use, multiple sexual partners, early initiation of sexual intercourse, and alcohol or marijuana use before sexual intercourse put adolescents at a higher risk of contracting an STI when they are sexually active. These behaviors can be observed through the theoretical framework of the problem behavior theory that describes the constructs of why individuals engage certain behaviors. How alcohol and drug use affect risky sexual behaviors of adolescents is evaluated in this study. The Youth Risk Behavior Surveillance System data collected between 2015 and 2017 in Florida were analyzed and compared to see if there was an increase or decrease in these behaviors when under the influence of alcohol and drug use. Logistic regression was used to analyze the data. Results shows that risky sexual behaviors and alcohol and marijuana use were correlated in both 2015 and 2017, and these relationships persisted in 2017. These results can give insight into the degree of impact that programs in Florida have on adolescents and whether they should be continued or improved upon so that more adolescents are reached. These results could also be used in school counties to try to help address the needs of their student population by not only showing them how to access programs in Florida but to also educate adolescents about risky behaviors.

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