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Gang Exposure and Pregnancy Incidence among Female Adolescents in San Francisco: Evidence for the Need to Integrate Reproductive Health with Violence Prevention Efforts
- Source :
- American Journal of Epidemiology. 167:1102-1109
- Publication Year :
- 2008
- Publisher :
- Oxford University Press (OUP), 2008.
-
Abstract
- Among a cohort of 237 sexually active females aged 14-19 years recruited from community venues in a predominantly Latino neighborhood in San Francisco, California, the authors examined the relation between gang exposure and pregnancy incidence over 2 years of follow-up between 2001 and 2004. Using discrete-time survival analysis, they investigated whether gang membership by individuals and partners was associated with pregnancy incidence and determined whether partnership characteristics, contraceptive behaviors, and pregnancy intentions mediated the relation between gang membership and pregnancy. Pregnancy incidence was determined by urine-based testing and self-report. Latinas represented 77% of participants, with one in five born outside the United States. One quarter (27.4%) became pregnant over follow-up. Participants' gang membership had no significant effect on pregnancy incidence (hazard ratio = 1.25, 95% confidence interval: 0.54, 3.45); however, having partners who were in gangs was associated with pregnancy (hazard ratio = 1.90, 95% confidence interval: 1.09, 3.32). The male partner's perceived pregnancy intentions and having a partner in detention each mediated the effect of partner's gang membership on pregnancy risk. Increased pregnancy incidence among young women with gang-involved partners highlights the importance of integrating reproductive health prevention into programs for gang-involved youth. In addition, high pregnancy rates indicate a heightened risk for sexually transmitted infections.
- Subjects :
- Adult
Male
Gerontology
Sexually transmitted disease
medicine.medical_specialty
Adolescent
Epidemiology
Sexually Transmitted Diseases
Reproductive medicine
Poison control
Violence
Article
Pregnancy
Risk Factors
medicine
Humans
Prospective Studies
Reproductive health
business.industry
Public health
Incidence (epidemiology)
Hazard ratio
Confounding Factors, Epidemiologic
Hispanic or Latino
medicine.disease
Adolescent Behavior
Pregnancy in Adolescence
Female
San Francisco
business
Demography
Subjects
Details
- ISSN :
- 14766256 and 00029262
- Volume :
- 167
- Database :
- OpenAIRE
- Journal :
- American Journal of Epidemiology
- Accession number :
- edsair.doi.dedup.....68c87c014c6da3c71e61ab5576f99706