Robert A. Pendergrast

Attitudinal and behavioral correlates of condom use in urban adolescent males

To determine correlates of condom use in adolescent males, we administered a sexual behavior questionnaire to 105 urban males attending a general adolescent clinic. The mean age was 16.5 +/- 1.6 years, and all reported heterosexual activity during the prior 3 months. Condom use was significantly (p less than 0.05) associated with perceived hassle of use (Spearmans rho = -0.40), perception of girlfriends attitude toward condoms (rho = -0.36), self-confidence in correct use (rho = 0.26), younger age (rho = 0.25), reported degree of exposure to sexually transmitted disease (STD) education (rho = 0.23), perceived condom safety (rho = 0.23), and perceived risk of STD if not wearing a condom (rho = 0.21). Using stepwise multiple regression, four variables explained a significant amount of variation in condom use: perceived hassle of use, perceived girlfriends attitude toward condom use, age, and self-confidence in correct use (adjusted R2 = 0.28, p less than 0.001). Intention to use free condoms was significantly (p less than 0.05) associated with past use (rho = 0.63), girlfriends attitude toward use (rho = -0.46), self-confidence in correct use (rho = 0.36), perceived hassle (rho = -0.31), and degree of exposure to STD education (rho = 0.25). Three variables in a regression model explained a significant amount of variation in intent to use free condoms: self-reported past use, girlfriends attitude, and self-confidence in correct use (adjusted R2 = 0.51, p less than 0.001).

Contraceptive behavior among sexually active Hispanic adolescents

The purpose of this study was to examine those factors associated with the contraceptive behavior of a national representative sample of Hispanic female adolescents. The subjects included all (n = 85) unmarried, sexually active Hispanic women, aged 15 to 19, from the 1982 National Survey of Family Growth. Contraceptive behavior was measured on a normalized scale, ranging from oral contraceptives to no contraception. Mexican/American and Central/South American background females were more likely (p less than 0.031) to use effective birth control than Puerto Rican, Cuban, and other Hispanic background subjects. Twenty additional social, behavioral, and demographic variables were found to be significantly associated (p less than 0.05) with contraceptive behavior. Based on multiple regression analysis, seven of these variables were found to explain 62% (p less than 0.0001) of the variation in the contraceptive behavior of this sample. Poorer contraceptive behavior was associated with noncompliance with the initial birth control method used (33.8%), lower coital frequency (8.3%), older postmenarchial age (5.7%), failure to use birth control at first coitus (4.6%), fewer years dating (4.0%), lower frequency of church attendance (3.3%), and never having experienced a pregnancy scare (2.0%). These findings suggest that the contraceptive behavior of Hispanic female adolescents is a dynamic process that can be understood in the context of previous sexual and contraceptive behavior.

Skateboard Injuries in Children and Adolescents

Data from the Consumer Product Safety Commission show an increase in skateboard injuries since 1984. This study analyzed reports of injuries in children and adolescents who use skateboards and the use of protective clothing by skateboard users. A convenience sample of 94 users, aged 6-18 years, in a metropolitan HMO was evaluated by questionnaire. Significant injuries associated with skateboard use (lacerations, unconsciousness, fractures, or other) were reported by 13% of the subjects. Frequency of skateboard use was strongly associated (p less than 0.01) with significant injury. Use of protective clothing was not associated with a lower proportion of injured users. Older adolescents reported a higher proportion of injuries than younger adolescents or children did. These findings suggest a high injury prevalence among skateboard users. Prevention strategies should be critically evaluated and should not rely solely on the use of protective clothing.

Sexual behavior among hispanic female adolescents in the United States

The purpose of this study was to identify factors associated with sexual activity in a national representative sample of Hispanic female adolescents. The subjects included all (n = 202) 15- to 19-year-old Hispanic female adolescents from the 1982 National Survey of Family Growth subdivided into Mexican-American (n = 119), Puerto Rican (n = 34), Central/South American (n = 23), Cuban (n = 9), and other Hispanic (n = 17) background groups. A total of 42% of the young women were sexually active. More Cubans (69.0%) and Central/South Americans (55.6%) reported sexual activity than the other groups, but the differences were not statistically significant. With multiple regression analysis, a significant amount of variation (total R2 = 0.367, P less than or equal to .001) in sexual activity was explained by the following variables: not being in school (22.5%), no religious affiliation (4.4%), age (3.3%), less church attendance (3.0%), older age at menarche (1.9%), and not living with both parents at age 14 years (1.9%). These findings suggest that maintaining social continuity in the areas of school, church affiliation and involvement, and family structure, as well as physical maturity are associated with Hispanic adolescent girls not becoming sexually active.

Correlates of children's bicycle helmet use and short-term failure of school-level interventions

To test the utility of school-level interventions for child bicycle safety and to identify social and behavioral factors associated with childrens bicycle helmet use, a two-level intervention was conducted in two suburban elementary schools. Children (N = 209) and parents (N = 125) in school 1 and in school 2 (children, N = 470; parents, N = 364) were surveyed regarding bicycle injuries and helmet use. Children and parents in schools 1 and 2 received literature about bicycle safety and discount coupons for helmet purchase. School 1 was then the target of an intensive safety campaign, including meetings with the school safety committee and the PTA and a classroom presentation to children emphasizing helmet use. Ten months later the same survey was again administered. Children in school 1 were more likely at posttest to believe that helmets were protective (P = .003) but did not differ on other variables. Logistic regression showed that sibling helmet ownership, parental helmet use, and lower parental perceived social barriers to helmet use were independently associated with childrens reported helmet use and with parental intent for the child to use a helmet at posttest.