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

      Affiliations

    • 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

      Affiliations

    • Division of Adolescent Medicine, Department of Pediatrics, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
  • ,
  • Laurel Chiappetta, MS

      Affiliations

    • Division of Adolescent Medicine, Department of Pediatrics, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
  • ,
  • Amanda J. Young, PhD

      Affiliations

    • Department of Communication, University of Memphis, Memphis, Tennessee
  • ,
  • Allan Zuckoff, PhD

      Affiliations

    • Department of Psychiatry, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
  • ,
  • Carlo C. DiClemente, PhD

      Affiliations

    • Department of Psychology, University of Maryland, Baltimore, Maryland
  • ,
  • Brian A. Primack, MD, EdM, MS

      Affiliations

    • 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
    • Corresponding Author InformationAddress correspondence to: Brian A. Primack, MD, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, 230 McKee Place, Suite 600, Pittsburgh, PA 15213

References 

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PII: S1083-3188(10)00112-9

doi: 10.1016/j.jpag.2010.02.012

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