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AJPH First Look, published online ahead of print Aug 13, 2008
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May 2009, Vol 99, No. 5 | American Journal of Public Health 855-862
© 2009 American Public Health Association
DOI: 10.2105/AJPH.2007.132597

RESEARCH AND PRACTICE

Factors Associated With the Sexual Behavior of Canadian Aboriginal Young People and Their Implications for Health Promotion

Karen M. Devries, PhD, Caroline J. Free, PhD, MBChB, Linda Morison, MSc and Elizabeth Saewyc, PhD

At the time of the study, Karen M. Devries was a PhD student at the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, England. Caroline J. Free and Linda Morison were also with the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London. Elizabeth Saewyc was with the McCreary Centre Society Vancouver, British Columbia, and the University of British Columbia, Vancouver.

Correspondence: Requests for reprints should be sent to Karen Devries, Health Policy Unit, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, Keppel St, WC1E 7HT London, UK (e-mail: karen.devries{at}lshtm.ac.uk).

Objectives. We examined factors associated with having ever had sex, having more than 1 lifetime sexual partner, and condom nonuse at last incident of sexual intercourse among Canadian Aboriginal young people.

Methods. We conducted a secondary analysis of data from the 2003 British Columbia Adolescent Health Survey, a cross-sectional survey of young people in grades 7 through 12.

Results. Of 1140 young Aboriginal men, 34% had ever had sex; of these, 63% had had more than 1 sexual partner, and 21% had not used a condom at their last incident of sexual intercourse. Of 1336 young Aboriginal women, 35% had ever had sex; of these, 56% had had more than 1 sexual partner, and 41% had not used a condom at their last incident of sexual intercourse. Frequent substance use, having been sexually abused, and having lived on a land reservation were strongly associated with sexual behavior outcomes. Feeling connected to family was strongly associated with increased condom use.

Conclusions. Sexual behavior change interventions for Aboriginal young people must move beyond the individual and incorporate interpersonal and structural dimensions. Interventions to reduce substance use and sexual abuse and promote feelings of family connectedness in this population should be explored. Young people living on land reserves need special attention.






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