Sexual Communication and Sexual Behavior Among Young Adult Heterosexual Latinos

Carmen Alvarez, José A. Bauermeister, Antonia M. Villarruel

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

6 Scopus citations

Abstract

We examined verbal sexual health communication, pleasure discussions, and physical sexual communication in relation to condom use by young adult, heterosexual Latinos (ages 18-30years). Participants (. N=220, 51% female) were recruited in a Midwestern state. Verbal sexual health communication was positively associated with consistent condom use among men (odds ratio [. OR]=2.66, p<.05) and women (. OR=3.12, p<.05). For men, pleasure discussions were negatively associated with consistent condom use (. OR=0.21, p<.05). For women, verbal sexual health communication was positively associated with condom use at last sex (. OR=2.75, p<.05), whereas physical sexual communication was negatively associated with condom use at last sex (. OR=.29, p<.05). Various aspects of sexual communication may be important in HIV-prevention programs with young Latinos. Physical sexual communication and pleasure discussions, in particular, warrant further exploration given negative relationships with condom use.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)577-588
Number of pages12
JournalJournal of the Association of Nurses in AIDS Care
Volume25
Issue number6
DOIs
StatePublished - Nov 1 2014
Externally publishedYes

Keywords

  • AIDS
  • HIV
  • Latinos
  • Sexual behavior
  • Sexual communication
  • Young adults

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Advanced and Specialized Nursing

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