Boatemaa A. Ntiri, BA Maternal and Child Health Epidemiology Conference December 7, 2005 Miami, FL

1. Assessing the Prevalence of Sexual Behavioral Characteristics, Sexual Education and Condom Use Among Jamaican Females and Males aged 15- 24 years. Boatemaa A. Ntiri, BA Maternal and Child Health Epidemiology Conference December 7, 2005 Miami, FL

2. Background • Jamaica • Demographics • Geographic location • Population • Education level • Literacy rate

3. Background The Problem: “Among youth ages 15- 24, the mean age of first sexual intercourse is 13.4 for young men and 15.9 for young women.” • High Fertility • Increase to Total Fertility Rate • STI/HIV Rates • High rates of HIV infection • Education • Exposure to reproductive and sexual education

4. Objective • To describe the level of formal (in-school) sexual education received by young adult females and males in Jamaica, and the prevalence of other selected variables.

5. Data • 1997 Jamaica Reproductive Health Survey • Two- stage stratified sample • Sampled male and female households • Household questionnaire • Individual questionnaire • Face-to-Face interviews • Males 15-24 years • Females 15-49 years • Survey Modules

6. Sample: Female and Male Respondents Aged 15-24 years • Quantitative (size): • Females (N=1,991) • Analysis sample (n=1,447) • Males (N=2,279) • Analysis sample (n=1,917)

7. Methods • Literature Review • Variable Selection • Descriptive Statistics • Prevalence (SAS)

8. Demographic: Age Education Level Sexual Experience/Behaviors: Sexual Education Relationship to Partner Age of First Partner Age at First Intercourse Sex Education Course Content Variables • Dependent Variable: • Condom Use

9. Results

10. Sex

11. Table I. Weighted prevalence of potential confounders among Jamaican young adults who have ever had sex, 1997.

12. Summary • Age • 20- 22 years of age • Education level • 10- 12 years • Age at first intercourse • Females: 16 years of age • Males: 13 years of age

13. Table I (cont’d). Weighted prevalence of potential confounders among Jamaican young adults who have ever had sex, 1997.

14. Summary • Age of first partner • Females: 3+ • Males: Younger/Same Age • Relationship to first partner • Females: Boyfriend • Males: Friend • In-school sexual education • Most had received in-school education • Course content of sexual education • Most had condom use included in curriculum

15. Next Steps • Test for additional variables • Trend Analysis (1997/2002) • Further (Social) Epidemiological Analysis

16. Recommendations • Target health education at lowering young adult fertility rates. • Health education on the expanse of women’s reproductive capability (increase age of first birth). • Create cross-gender behavioral change strategies. • Continue studies that examine the factors that influence adolescent sex.

17. Thank You & Acknowledgements: • Tonji Durant, PhD • Xiaohong Davis, PhD • Lisa Flowers, MPA • Florina Serbenescu, MD/MPH • Division of Reproductive Health, NCCDPHP • Public Health Sciences Institute or Morehouse College • Mailman School of Public Health- Columbia University