Disparities in Sexually Transmitted Infection/HIV Testing, Contraception, and Emergency Contraception Care Among Adolescent Sexual Minority Women Who Are Racial/Ethnic Minorities

Jen Makrides, Pamela Matson, Renata Arrington-Sanders, Maria Trent, Arik V. Marcell

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

Abstract

Purpose: Sexual minority women and racial/ethnic minority women in the United States are at increased risk for sexually transmitted infections (STIs) and unintended pregnancy. Yet, we know little about STI/HIV testing and contraceptive care among women who have sex with women only and women who have sex with both women and men, and who are racial/ethnic minorities. This study examined receipt of STI/HIV testing and contraceptive care among sexually active adolescent women by sex of sexual contact(s) and race/ethnicity. Methods: Our sample included 2,149 sexually active adolescent women from the National Survey of Family Growth (2011–2019). We examined receipt of sexual and reproductive health (SRH) services by sex of sexual contact(s) and race/ethnicity: STI and HIV testing, contraceptive counseling, contraceptive method, emergency contraception (EC) counseling, and EC method. Results: Service receipt was low for all adolescent women, with disparities by sex of sexual contact(s) and by race/ethnicity. Women who have sex with women only had the lowest rates across all services; women who have sex with both women and men had higher rates of STI and HIV testing and EC counseling than women who have sex with men only. Non-Hispanic Black women had higher rates of STI and HIV testing than non-Hispanic White peers, and non-Hispanic Black and Hispanic women had lower rates of contraception method receipt than their non-Hispanic White peers. Racial/ethnic disparities persisted when results were stratified by sex of sexual contact(s). Discussion: There is an unmet need for improved SRH service delivery for all adolescent women and for services that are not biased by sex of sexual contact(s) and race/ethnicity.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)214-221
Number of pages8
JournalJournal of Adolescent Health
Volume72
Issue number2
DOIs
StatePublished - Feb 2023

Keywords

  • Adolescent health
  • Bisexual
  • Contraception
  • HIV
  • Lesbian
  • Minority health
  • Racial and ethnic minorities
  • Sexual health
  • Sexually transmitted infections
  • Women who have sex with women

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Public Health, Environmental and Occupational Health
  • Psychiatry and Mental health
  • Pediatrics, Perinatology, and Child Health

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