Associations between parental deployment, relocation, and risky sexual behaviors among a clinic-based sample of military-dependent youth.

Although sexual behaviors have been extensively studied among youth in general, they have been relatively understudied among military-dependent youth (MDY). Furthermore, the impact of unique military stressors, such as parental deployment and multiple relocations, on the sexual behaviors of MDY has not been assessed. In this pilot study, we estimated the prevalence of sexual behaviors among MDY, and examined the association between these behaviors and parental deployment and multiple relocations. Between June and September 2011, we recruited youth (N = 208; aged 15-19 years) who attended a military treatment facility in the southern United States, to complete a short, paper-based survey. We computed prevalence estimates and conducted Chi-square analyses, as well as logistic regression analyses, while adjusting for age, gender, and race/ethnicity. More than half (53.7 %) of the youth reported being sexually experienced, and many of these youth reported engaging in risky sexual behaviors. Parental deployment and multiple relocations were significantly associated only with having had sex in the past 3 months. Although with most sexual behaviors there was no significant association between parental deployment and multiple relocations, many MDY are sexually experienced and engage in risky sexual behaviors. MDY should thus be exposed to evidence-based strategies for sexually transmitted infection and pregnancy prevention, as well as provided with teen-friendly health care services and comprehensive sexual/reproductive health counseling.

The Context of Sexual Decisions and Intrapersonal and Interpersonal Factors Related to Sexual Initiation Among Female Military-Dependent Youth.

Despite the sizable population of military-dependent youth (MDY) in the United States and the military stressors they experience (e.g., relocations, parental deployment), little is known about MDY's sexual behavior, especially about the perceived role that military stressors play in their sexual decisions, such as the decision to initiate sex. We conducted 25 semistructured, in-depth interviews with sexually experienced female MDY aged 15 to 19 years to (a) describe MDY's general perceptions of military life and (b) identify intrapersonal and interpersonal characteristics related to MDY's sexual initiation, including the perceived impact of military stressors. We analyzed life history grids and transcripts to identify common and unique themes across participants' experiences. Most participants reported having positive experiences related to military life, and most did not believe that military stressors influenced their decision to initiate sex. Common intrapersonal and interpersonal characteristics related to sexual initiation were having an older first sexual partner, being in a dating relationship, receiving sexual health education prior to their first sexual experience, and discussing sex with a parent prior to their first sexual experience. These intrapersonal and interpersonal characteristics should be considered when developing sexual health programs for MDY, which should focus on building supportive peer and parental relationships.

Dependent adolescent pregnancy rates and risk factors for pregnancy in the military health care system.

BACKGROUND: We sought to determine the pregnancy rate of U.S. military-dependent adolescents enrolled in the military healthcare system. METHODS: We examined the age and insurance status of dependent adolescents, ages 12 to 23, and determined the incidence of new pregnancies in the military healthcare system from 2006 to 2010 in San Antonio, Texas. Adolescents not enrolled or only recently enrolled in TRICARE Prime at the time of pregnancy were analyzed separately. A Cox-Proportional Hazards model was used to determine risk factors for pregnancy (relationship to sponsor, age, and contraceptive prescription). RESULTS: 444 pregnancies were diagnosed among the 12,417 eligible subjects. For adolescents with continuous enrollment in TRICARE Prime, the pregnancy rate was 9.67/1,000 woman-years at risk, much lower than the national average. Cox-Proportional Hazards analysis showed age group (15-19 years), and history of oral contraceptive prescription were associated with a higher pregnancy rate. 59% of pregnancies occurred in women not enrolled or only briefly enrolled in TRICARE Prime at the time of pregnancy. CONCLUSION: Dependent daughters enrolled in TRICARE Prime had a very low pregnancy rate. The majority of pregnancies occurred in adolescents not enrolled in TRICARE Prime at the time of pregnancy diagnosis, suggesting many adolescents sought health insurance after pregnancy was diagnosed.