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Florida Public Health Review

Publication Date

2016

Abstract

We examined the relationship between sexual health education and sexual health risk behavioral outcomes among adolescents in Florida using Youth Risk Behavior Survey data from 2001 to 2013. Sexual health risk behavioral outcomes (reported condom use and alcohol and/or drug use during last intercourse) were first examined as a function of sexual health education. Multiple logistic regression analysis was then used to adjust for individual characteristics and behavioral risk factors when associating sexual health education with sexual health risk behavioral outcomes. Reported condom use was strongly associated with sexual education. However, the impact of sexual education was attenuated after adjusting for individual characteristics and behavioral risk factors. Alcohol and/or drug use during last intercourse was strongly associated with behavioral risk factors: forced sex and being sad/hopeless. Those receiving sexual education were 44% less likely to use alcohol and/or drugs. The results may be of value to policy makers in helping to profile and target teens at risk for sexually transmitted infections. These findings have important sexual health education implications and shed light on the role that individual health behaviors play in the health outcomes of adolescents.

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