Abstract
Introduction
Most sexual health interventions focus on individual-level predictors of sexual behavior. Given the considerable influence of environmental factors on adolescent girls’ sexual health, current interventions may be insufficient to promote safer sex. In this study, we aimed to understand adolescent girls’ anticipated barriers to engaging in safer sex behavior after completing a brief, web-based sexual health intervention called HEART.
Methods
This study used qualitative interviews with 50 adolescent girls who were recruited from community-based organizations that serve vulnerable youth. All participants were 12 to 19 years old (mean age = 15.62, SD = 1.83), and identified with a marginalized racial/ethnic group (58% Black; 18% Latinx; 24% Asian, biracial, or multiracial). Further, 24% identified as LGBTQ + , and 58% were sexually active.
Results
Guided by the social ecological model, we delineate six unique barriers to safer sex discussed by adolescents: partner manipulation, slut shaming, unclear sexual values, present time orientation, embarrassment, and access to sexual and reproductive health services.
Discussion
We conclude with recommendations for addressing these barriers to optimize adolescent girls’ sexual health.
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Data Availability
Data is available upon request made to Dr. Kristyn Kamke (kristynk@rainn.org).
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Funding
This research was supported by the Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Health Development at National Institutes of Health (R00 HD075654), the Phi Kappa Phi Honor Society, and the College of Humanities and Social Sciences at North Carolina State University.
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KK designed and collected data for the study, conducted data analysis, and wrote the paper. JLS collaborated in the collection of data and data analysis, and carefully reviewed and edited the manuscript. LW developed the intervention, collaborated in the design of the study, and carefully reviewed and edited the manuscript.
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All procedures performed in studies involving human participants were in accordance with the ethical standards of the North Carolina State University Institutional Review Board (IRB Registration #00000330) and with the 1964 Helsinki declaration and its later amendments or comparable ethical standards.
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Kamke, K., Stewart, J.L. & Widman, L. Multilevel Barriers to Sexual Health Behavior Among Vulnerable Adolescent Girls in the USA. Sex Res Soc Policy 19, 822–833 (2022). https://doi.org/10.1007/s13178-021-00594-7
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s13178-021-00594-7