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What are we missing? Risk behaviors among Arab-American adolescents and emerging adults
Michelle L Munro-Kramer1, Nicole M Fava2, Melissa A Saftner3
1Department of Health Behavior and Biological Sciences, University of Michigan School of Nursing, Ann Arbor, Michigan.
Background And Purpose:
Research on Arab-Americans as a distinct ethnic group is limited, especially when considering the health of Arab-American youth. This study describes health risk (substance use, violence); health promotive behaviors (hope, spirituality); and sexual activity (oral, vaginal, anal sex) of Arab-American adolescents and emerging adults (aged 15-23) within their life context, as well as the association between these behaviors.
Methods:
A secondary analysis of data on a subset of Arab-American participants obtained from a randomized-control trial was utilized to conduct mixed methods analyses. Qualitative analyses completed on the open-ended questions used the constant comparative method for a subsample (n = 24) of participants. Descriptive quantitative analyses of survey data utilized bivariate analyses and stepwise logistic regression to explore the relation between risk behaviors and sexual activity among the full sample (n = 57).
Conclusions:
Qualitative analyses revealed two groups of participants: (a) multiple risk behaviors and negative life-events, and (b) minimal risk behaviors and positive life-events. Quantitative analyses indicated older youth, smokers, and those with higher hope pathways were more likely to report vaginal sex.
Implications For Practice:
The unique cultural and social contexts of Arab-American youth provide a framework for recommendations for the prevention of risk behaviors.
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