Substance use and sexual risk behaviors among Mississippi public high school students

This study describes the patterns of substance use and sexual risk behaviors and examines the relationships among a representative sample of Mississippi public high school students. Data were obtained from the 2009 Mississippi Youth Risk Behavior Survey. Multiple logistic regression analyses were performed. We found 61% of the participants ever had sexual intercourse and 13.4% engaged in early sexual initiation (< or = 12 years). Nearly a quarter had four or more lifetime sexual partners. One-third did not use a condom during their last sexual intercourse. Two-thirds drank alcohol. Over one-third used marijuana. Older age, being a black, drinking alcohol, or using marijuana or other drugs were associated with early sexual initiation and having multiple sexual partners. Heavy smoking was associated with early sexual initiation. Using marijuana or other drugs was associated with unprotected sex. Findings highlight the extensive substance use and engagement of sexual risk behaviors among Mississippi adolescents. Interventions that address both substance use and sexual risk behaviors may have a great impact in preventing teen pregnancy and HIV/STD transmission and curtailing substance abuse problems among Mississippi adolescents.