Adolescent methamphetamine use is associated with risky sexual behaviors and adolescent pregnancy

The analysis conducted by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported that 7.6 percent of students from a national sample of in-school youth in grades 9-12 reported lifetime methamphetamine use.  After adjustment for demographic covariates and lifetime use of other substances including cigarettes, alcohol, marijuana, and other illicit drugs, lifetime methamphetamine use was associated with increased odds of recent (past three months) sexual intercourse (AOR=1.8, 95% CI=1.5, 2.3), having two or more recent sex partners (AOR=3.0, 95% CI=2.2, 4.2), and lifetime adolescent pregnancy (AOR=2.9, 95% CI=2.1, 3.9).  A dose-response effect of frequency of methamphetamine use was also detected, with the odds of each outcome increasing significantly (p for trend ≤ 0.0001) as the frequency of methamphetamine use increased.

Data analyzed were from the 2003 National Youth Risk Behavior Survey, a school-based paper-and-pencil survey that assesses risky health behaviors among U.S. high school students.  The survey used a 3-stage cluster design to draw a nationally representative sample of 15,214 youth in grades 9-12.  Parental permission was obtained for all participating youth.

The analysis highlights that adolescent methamphetamine use is a public health problem with 7.6 percent of U.S. high school students reporting lifetime use in 2003, translating to more than 1 million adolescents nationwide; and that use is associated with recent risky sexual behaviors and adolescent pregnancy, independent of other substance use behaviors.  Prevention strategies for high school students should integrate education on substance abuse, pregnancy, sexually transmitted infections, and human immunodeficiency virus.

Source: Zapata L, Hillis S, Marchbanks P, Curtis K, Lowry R.  Methamphetamine use is independently associated with recent sexual behaviors and adolescent pregnancy.  Journal of School Health.  2008 Dec;78(12):641-648.