Factors associated with sexual orientation and gender disparities in chronic pain among U.S. adolescents and young adults

Background Infectious disease outbreaks like COVID-19 and their mitigation measures can exacerbate underlying gender disparities, particularly among adolescents and young adults in densely populated urban settings. Methods An existing cohort of youth ages 16–26 in Nairobi, Kenya completed a phone-based survey in August-October 2020 (n = 1217), supplemented by virtual focus group discussions and interviews with youth and stakeholders, to examine economic, health, social, and safety experiences during COVID-19, and gender disparities therein. Results COVID-19 risk perception was high with a gender differential favoring young women (95.5% vs. 84.2%; p<0.001); youth described mixed concern and challenges to prevention. During COVID-19, gender symmetry was observed in constrained access to contraception among contraceptive users (40.4% men; 34.6% women) and depressive symptoms (21.8% men; 24.3% women). Gender disparities rendered young women disproportionately unable to meet basic economic needs (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] = 1.21; p<0.05) and in need of healthcare during the pandemic (aOR = 1.59; p<0.001). At a bivariate level, women had lower full decisional control to leave the house (40.0% vs. 53.2%) and less consistent access to safe, private internet (26.1% vs. 40.2%), while men disproportionately experienced police interactions (60.1%, 55.2% of which included extortion). Gender-specific concerns for women included menstrual hygiene access challenges (52.0%), increased reliance on transactional partnerships, and gender-based violence, with 17.3% reporting past-year partner violence and 3.0% non-partner sexual violence. Qualitative results contextualize the mental health impact of economic disruption and isolation, and, among young women, privacy constraints. Implications Youth and young adults face gendered impacts of COVID-19, reflecting both underlying disparities and the pandemic’s economic and social shock. Economic, health and technology-based supports must ensure equitable access for young women. Gender-responsive recovery efforts are necessary and must address the unique needs of youth.

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Factors Associated with Non-Attendance at Dental Preventive Care in Slovak High School Students

International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health ◽

10.3390/ijerph18031295 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 18 (3) ◽

pp. 1295

Author(s):

Martin Samohyl ◽

Jana Babjakova ◽

Diana Vondrova ◽

Jana Jurkovicova ◽

Juraj Stofko ◽

...

Keyword(s):

High School ◽

Young Adults ◽

High School Students ◽

Preventive Care ◽

Parental Influence ◽

Adolescents And Young Adults ◽

Control Group ◽

School Students ◽

Factors Associated ◽

Older Adolescents

This study aimed to determine the factors associated with the avoidance of dental preventive care in high school students and their parents in the framework of The Youth and Parents Risk Factor Behavior Survey in Slovakia, the ongoing cross-sectional school-based survey of students and their parents or legal representatives. The data were collected using two separate standardized questionnaires: (i) the questionnaire for students (n = 515) and (ii) the questionnaire for parents (n = 681). The study group included 57 high school students (54.4% males) who did not visit the dentist for preventive care in the previous year. The control group included 458 students (35.8% males) who visited a dentist for preventive care at least once in the previous year. A significantly higher number of males (54.4%), older adolescents, and young adults (21.8%; 20.0%) were not visiting dental preventive care regularly. Incomplete family (56.1%), stressful situations at home (17.5%), and feeling unwell were the factors contributing to the avoidance of dental preventive care. More than 34.5% of adolescents and young adults were not visiting either dental preventive care or pediatric preventive care (adjusted odds ratio (AOR) = 5.14; 95% confidence interval (CI) = 2.40, 10.99). Children of divorced mothers and mothers with household income lower than EUR 900 had significantly higher dental care avoidance in bivariate analysis. A significantly higher percentage of fathers from the exposed group were not visiting dental preventive care regularly (47.8%, p < 0.05). The results of the study can be used as an educational intervention step focusing on the parental influence on adolescent and young adults’ behavior and as a challenge for the improvement of dental preventive care in older adolescents and young adults.

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Precision Across Race, Age and Gender of a HIV Risk Screen for Adolescents and Young Adults

Social Work in Public Health ◽

10.1080/19371918.2014.994725 ◽

2015 ◽

Vol 30 (3) ◽

pp. 260-271

Author(s):

Michiel A. van Zyl ◽

Christina Studts ◽

Kathryn Pahl

Keyword(s):

Young Adults ◽

Hiv Risk ◽

Adolescents And Young Adults ◽

Age And Gender ◽

And Gender

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Sexual Orientation and Substance Use Among Adolescents and Young Adults

American Journal of Public Health ◽

10.2105/ajph.2011.300261 ◽

2012 ◽

Vol 102 (6) ◽

pp. 1168-1176 ◽

Cited By ~ 54

Author(s):

Karin L. Brewster ◽

Kathryn Harker Tillman

Keyword(s):

Substance Use ◽

Young Adults ◽

Sexual Orientation ◽

Adolescents And Young Adults

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Prevalence of Learning Disabilities Among Chinese Children, Adolescents, and Young Adults: Comorbidity, Age Trend, and Gender Differences

SSRN Electronic Journal ◽

10.2139/ssrn.3881021 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Dazhi Cheng ◽

Xinyang Miao ◽

Xinlin Zhou

Keyword(s):

Gender Differences ◽

Learning Disabilities ◽

Young Adults ◽

Chinese Children ◽

Adolescents And Young Adults ◽

And Gender

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Use of illicit drugs by adolescents and young adults of an urban settlement in Brazil

Revista da Associação Médica Brasileira ◽

10.1590/1806-9282.64.02.114 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 64 (2) ◽

pp. 114-118

Author(s):

Rafael Alves Guimarães ◽

Márcia Maria de Souza ◽

Karlla Antonieta Amorim Caetano ◽

Sheila Araujo Teles ◽

Marcos André de Matos

Keyword(s):

Young Adults ◽

Drug Use ◽

Illicit Drugs ◽

Illicit Drug ◽

Illicit Drug Use ◽

Self Report ◽

Adolescents And Young Adults ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Urban Settlement ◽

Factors Associated

Summary Objective: To estimate the prevalence and factors associated with illicit drug use by adolescents and young adults of a formal urban settlement. Method: Cross-sectional study including adolescents and young adults 12-24 years of an urban settlement in the Midwest Region of Brazil. Data were collected using a structured questionnaire and analyzed using Stata, version 12.0. We used Poisson regression model to estimate the factors associated with illicit drug use. Results: Of the total participants (n=105), 27.6% (95CI 20.0-36.9%) had used illicit drugs such as marijuana, cocaine, crack, LSD and inhalants. The consumption of these substances was associated with male gender, use of body piercing and/or tattoos, licit drug use and self-report of signs and/or symptoms of sexually transmitted infections. Conclusion: High prevalence of illicit drug use was found in the individuals investigated, ratifying the presence of risk factors to the vulnerability of the settlers to use these substances in the urban settlement population.

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Family Rejection as a Predictor of Negative Health Outcomes in White and Latino Lesbian, Gay, and Bisexual Young Adults

10.1542/9781610025409-family ◽

2021 ◽

pp. 5-11

Author(s):

Caitlin Ryan ◽

David Huebner ◽

Rafael M. Diaz ◽

Jorge Sanchez

Keyword(s):

Young Adults ◽

Sexual Orientation ◽

Health Outcomes ◽

Health Indicators ◽

Well Being ◽

Health Problems ◽

Self Report ◽

And Bisexual ◽

Pencil And Paper ◽

And Gender

OBJECTIVE We examined specific family rejecting reactions to sexual orientation and gender expression during adolescence as predictors of current health problems in a sample of lesbian, gay, and bisexual young adults. METHODS On the basis of previously collected in-depth interviews, we developed quantitative scales to assess retrospectively in young adults the frequency of parental and caregiver reactions to a lesbian, gay, or bisexual sexual orientation during adolescence. Our survey instrument also included measures of 9 negative health indicators, including mental health, substance abuse, and sexual risk. The survey was administered to a sample of 224 white and Latino self-identified lesbian, gay, and bisexual young adults, aged 21 to 25, recruited through diverse venues and organizations. Participants completed self-report questionnaires by using either computer-assisted or pencil-and-paper surveys. RESULTS Higher rates of family rejection were significantly associated with poorer health outcomes. On the basis of odds ratios, lesbian, gay, and bisexual young adults who reported higher levels of family rejection during adolescence were 8.4 times more likely to report having attempted suicide, 5.9 times more likely to report high levels of depression, 3.4 times more likely to use illegal drugs, and 3.4 times more likely to report having engaged in unprotected sexual intercourse compared with peers from families that reported no or low levels of family rejection. Latino men reported the highest number of negative family reactions to their sexual orientation in adolescence. CONCLUSIONS This study establishes a clear link between specific parental and caregiver rejecting behaviors and negative health problems in young lesbian, gay, and bisexual adults. Providers who serve this population should assess and help educate families about the impact of rejecting behaviors. Counseling families, providing anticipatory guidance, and referring families for counseling and support can help make a critical difference in helping decrease risk and increasing well-being for lesbian, gay, and bisexual youth.

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