Associations between Religiosity and Sexual and Contraceptive Behaviors

Gold, Melanie A.; Sheftel, Anya V.; Chiappetta, Laurel; Young, Amanda J.; Zuckoff, Allan; DiClemente, Carlo C.; Primack, Brian A.

doi:10.1016/j.jpag.2010.02.012

« Previous Next »Journal of Pediatric and Adolescent Gynecology
Volume 23, Issue 5 , Pages 290-297, October 2010

Associations between Religiosity and Sexual and Contraceptive Behaviors

Melanie A. Gold, DO
- Division of Student Affairs, University of Pittsburgh Student Health Service, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
- Division of Adolescent Medicine, Department of Pediatrics, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
Anya V. Sheftel, BA
- Division of Adolescent Medicine, Department of Pediatrics, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
Laurel Chiappetta, MS
- Division of Adolescent Medicine, Department of Pediatrics, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
Amanda J. Young, PhD
- Department of Communication, University of Memphis, Memphis, Tennessee
Allan Zuckoff, PhD
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
Carlo C. DiClemente, PhD
- Department of Psychology, University of Maryland, Baltimore, Maryland
Brian A. Primack, MD, EdM, MS
- Division of Adolescent Medicine, Department of Pediatrics, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
- Division of General Internal Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
- Center for Research on Health Care, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA
- Address correspondence to: Brian A. Primack, MD, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, 230 McKee Place, Suite 600, Pittsburgh, PA 15213

published online 24 May 2010.

Abstract

Study Objective

To determine associations between religiosity and female adolescents' sexual and contraceptive behaviors.

Design

We conducted a secondary analysis on data from a randomized controlled trial comparing interventions designed to prevent pregnancy and sexually transmitted diseases (STDs). Multivariable modeling assessed the association between a religiosity index consisting of items related to religious behaviors and impact of religious beliefs on decisions and sexual outcomes.

Participants

572 female adolescents aged 13 to 21, recruited via a hospital-based adolescent clinic and community-wide advertisements.

Main Outcome Measures

Sexual experience, pregnancy, STDs, number of lifetime partners, frequency of sexual activity, previous contraceptive use, and planned contraceptive use.

Results

Mean participant age was 17.4 ± 2.2 years and 68% had been sexually active. Most (74.1%) had a religious affiliation and over half (52.8%) reported that their religious beliefs impact their decision to have sex at least “somewhat.” Multivariate analyses showed that, compared with those with low religiosity, those with high religiosity were less likely to have had sexual intercourse (OR = 0.23, 95% CI = 0.14, 0.39). Among sexually active participants, those with high religiosity were less likely to have been pregnant (OR = 0.46, 95% CI = 0.22, 0.97), to have had an STD (OR = 0.42, 95% CI = 0.22, 0.81), or to have had multiple (≥4) lifetime partners (OR = 0.38, 95% CI = 0.21, 0.68) compared to those with low religiosity. Levels of religiosity were not significantly associated with frequency of intercourse, contraception use at last intercourse, or planned contraceptive use.

Conclusion

In this cohort, religiosity appeared to be a protective factor rather than a risk factor with regard to sexual behavior and was not associated with contraception use.

Key Words: Adolescent, Religion, Religiosity, Sexual behavior, Contraception, Abstinence, Virginal, Sexual decision making, Pregnancy, Sexually transmitted disease