Prevalence and Correlates of Heterosexual Anal Intercourse Among Black and Latina Female Adolescents

Anal intercourse (AI) is a recognized HIV risk behavior, yet little is known about AI among adolescent girls and young women. The authors studied the prevalence and correlates of heterosexual AI (HAI) among Black and Latina adolescent girls and young women. The data come from two randomized clinical trials (RCTs) of HIV prevention interventions with Black and Latina adolescent girls and young women. In the second RCT, a Sexual Relationship Power Scale was added to the questionnaire. Thirty-five percent of participants in the first RCT (N =244) and 23% of those in the second RCT (N =101) reported engaging in HAI, most without a condom. Significant correlations existed between HAI and a high-risk sexual history. HAI is prevalent in this population. Nurses must educate female adolescent patients about risks associated with HAI.

Key words: adolescent, anal intercourse, Black, female, HIV prevention, Latina, sexual relationship power