Older Male Sexual Partner As a Marker for Sexual Risk-taking in Adolescent Females in Nova Scotia

Purpose: To examine age differences between Nova Scotia women aged 15-19 and their male sexual partners, and to determine if those adolescents with older partners were more likely to have engaged in sexual risk-taking behaviours.

Methods: A cross-sectional survey (response rate=91%) administered in May 2003 assessed the following sexual risk behaviours: (a) not using condom/hormonal contraception at last vaginal intercourse; (b) having unplanned vaginal intercourse while using alcohol or drugs; (c) having more than one partner in the previous year; (d) vaginal intercourse before age 15; and (e) ever having anal intercourse. Univariate analysis was carried out to determine associations of sexual risk behaviours with partner age difference. Logistic regression was then used to examine behaviours associated with partner age (p < 0.15) in univariate analysis.

Results: Of the young women surveyed, 520 (47.7%) had had vaginal intercourse in the previous year; 515 of these provided information on their last partner's age. Over 10% had partners four or more years older. In multivariate analysis, having a partner > or =4 years older was associated with not using a condom at last intercourse (OR 2.15; 95% Cl 1.10-4.20), having more than one partner in the previous year (OR 21.9; 95% Cl 1.13-4.28) and having unplanned vaginal intercourse while using alcohol or drugs (OR 2.66; 95% Cl 1.34-5.28).

Conclusions: A significant number of female adolescents have older male sexual partners, and such relationships are markers for high-risk sexual behaviours. Partner age is an important consideration for health professionals providing sexual health advice to young women.