PubMed HealthSearch

Biomedical subjects

D S Elfenbein

Publications and source records attributed to D S Elfenbein.

6 recordsLinked to original sources

Condom usage by a population of delinquent southern male adolescents.

Of sexually active delinquent male adolescents admitted to a detention facility over a 6-month period from 1987 to 1988, 69% reported condom usage. Review of the medical records of a similar group of detainees from the same facility in 1984 revealed a 44% reported condom usage rate, suggesting a marked increase in utilization. Stated reasons for condom use in 1987-1988 included prevention of sexually transmitted diseases (63%) and pregnancy (33%). More than one reason was given by 20%.

Adolescent

Early sexual activity of delinquent adolescents.

Sexual experiences of 1255 adolescents admitted to a juvenile detention facility were assessed through their responses to a health history questionnaire. More than 80% reported sexual experience. Age at first intercourse acknowledged by females was early (mean 13 years) but rarely prepubertal and was similar for blacks and nonblacks. Males commonly reported beginning sexual experience before age 10 years (40% in blacks and 20% in nonblacks). Sexual activity continued in most, with 73% of the sexually experienced teens reporting intercourse in the month prior to admission. Reports of recent sexual activity increased with age in all race/gender groups. For females, 26% reported sexual misuse compared to 2% of the males. Willingness to answer questions about sexual experiences varied with the question and increased with age. Prepubertal sexual activity is a more common phenomenon than is generally acknowledged. To what extent the experiences reported in our study represent the norm for behavior among individuals of similar background requires further study.

Adolescent