Age Differences in STDs, Sexual Behaviors, and Correlates of Risky Sex Among Sexually Experienced Adolescent African-American Females

In 2013, Sharrell D. Luckett formed the Performance Studies & Arts Research Collective, which encourages members to explore their identities through the arts. Around this time, Audrey Edwards and Megan J. Stewart—both African American females and Collective members—became interested in autoethnography, and Luckett invited them to study closely with her. In this performative essay, Luckett, Edwards, and Stewart implicitly highlight various power negotiations enacted as professor/student, actress/stage manager, actress/assistant director, and mentor/mentee, while all working on their own autoethnographies, and while working collectively on Luckett's autoethnographic performance: YoungGiftedandFat.

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Social Media Preference and Condom Use Behaviors: An Analysis of Digital Spaces With Young African American Males

Health Education & Behavior ◽

10.1177/1090198121993043 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 48 (2) ◽

pp. 190-198

Author(s):

Jade C. Burns ◽

Shawtaabdee Chakraborty ◽

Denise Saint Arnault

Keyword(s):

Social Media ◽

African American ◽

Condom Use ◽

Health Care Providers ◽

Sexual Behaviors ◽

African American Males ◽

African American Adolescents ◽

Lifestyle Changes ◽

Perceived Behavioral Control ◽

Care Providers

Background. African American adolescents and young adults have an increased likelihood of engaging in risky sexual behaviors. With rising rates of sexually transmitted infections among this population, deeper consideration is now being focused on using social media to engage, educate, and improve sexual behavior in this group. Purpose. To determine why social media is useful and how it may affect the attitude, norms, and perceived behavioral control on condom use among young African American males (YAAMs) ages 18 to 21. Method. Group-depth interviews ( n = 41, mean age = 19, SD = 1.2) were conducted in metro Detroit to understand and describe the who, what, where, why, and how regarding social media use and preference among YAAMs) ages 18 to 21, and their condom use behaviors. Results. The most popular reasons for using social media were for educational purposes, entertainment, browsing the site, self-expression, seeking out or maintaining relationships with friends and family, and social justice. YouTube was stated as the easiest site to promote condom use education. YAAMs would seek out condom use education on social media sites if someone respected in the community or someone famous promoted condom use messages on the sites or if it was used to show where condoms were available for free or for purchase. Conclusion. Understanding how YAAMs use social media may help researchers design better questions to address disparities within this population. More important, it can help health care providers, families, and the community promote healthy behaviors and lifestyle changes among YAAMs.

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Exploring Condom Use Behaviors Among African American Adolescent Boys in the Deep South

American Journal of Men s Health ◽

10.1177/15579883211009039 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 15 (2) ◽

pp. 155798832110090

Author(s):

Jessica Thames Chambliss ◽

Retta Evans ◽

Anneliese Bolland ◽

Martha S. Wingate ◽

John M. Bolland

Keyword(s):

African American ◽

Condom Use ◽

Sexual Behaviors ◽

Unplanned Pregnancy ◽

The United States ◽

Deep South ◽

Adolescent Boys ◽

African American Adolescent ◽

Factors Associated ◽

Increased Risk

Risky sexual behaviors among adolescents can increase adverse outcomes including unplanned pregnancy or contraction or transmission of disease. Adolescents who engage in risky sexual activities are at increased risk for adverse health and social outcomes compared to those who do not engage. Despite declines in adolescent pregnancy and birth rates, the diagnosis of sexually transmitted infections (STIs) is steadily increasing among adolescents. Moreover, African American adolescent boys in the United States, specifically in the southeastern region are disproportionally at greater risk for STIs, and STI diagnosis within this population has increased over time, compared to their white counterparts. This study sought to identify factors associated with condom use among adolescent boys in the Deep South. Using data from the Mobile Youth Survey, a longitudinal adolescent community-based survey, this study assessed the relationship between personal, behavioral, and environmental factors and condom use among African American adolescent boys (14–19 years). Younger participants (14–15 and 16–17) were more likely to use a condom during the last sexual intercourse compared to older participants (18–19 years). High positive attachment to boy/girlfriend was associated with increased condom use. The number of sexual partners, age at their first sexual encounter, recent sexual behavior, and having an STI were also associated with increased condom use among participants. The study provides further insights into factors associated with condom use among African American adolescent boys and results can inform the development of sexual health interventions.

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