Alcohol, Psychosocial Correlates, and Risky Sexual Behavior for a High-Risk African-American Female Population.

The relationships between alcohol use, correlates of sexual risk (fear of condom negotiation, sexual sensation seeking, peer norms, and depressive symptoms) and HIV-associated sexual behavior were examined for an African American female population. Sexually active females recruited from a sexual disease clinic (N = 407; m. age 18.5 years) completed self-report measures and self-collected vaginal swab specimens to assess STD prevalence and a nondisease marker of unprotected sex. Number of drinking occasions was significantly related to three of four psychosocial correlates and to all self-report measures of sexual behavior. Also females consuming more drinks per drinking occasion were significantly more likely to have Chlamydia and a positive test for the presence of semen in vaginal fluid. Results indicate greater frequency and volume of alcohol are differentially related to adverse psychosocial correlates, self-report and biological markers of sexually risky behavior. Implications for campaign planning and materials and interventions are discussed. ..PAT.-Unpublished Manuscript [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]