By Emily Bridges, Director of Public Information Services, and Rachel Harlich, Library and Research Intern

The Influence of Early Sexual Debut and Sexual Violence On Adolescent Pregnancy: A Matched Case-Control Study In Jamaica
International Perspectives on Sexual and Reproductive Health, 2009, 35(1):21–28.

This study examined sexual violence and sexual debut among Jamaican girls to explore correlations with adolescent pregnancy.  The study found that one-half of all participants had experienced sexual coercion or violence and that one-third of all participants had experienced forced sex as their first sexual experience.

Interestingly, the study found a negative correlation between sexual violence and teen pregnancy (that is, those who experienced teen pregnancy were less likely to have been assaulted).  Researchers believe this may be due to underreporting (pregnant youth were more likely to be in a relationship and may have feared retaliation).  

Read the abstract:  http://www.guttmacher.org/pubs/journals/3502109.html


A Novel, Intensive Home-Visiting Intervention for Runaway, Sexually Exploited Girls
Journal for Specialists in Pediatric Nursing, Volume 14 Issue 1

Few studies have examined interventions that help adolescents who run away. This study both describes a home-visiting intervention program for young, sexually assaulted runaways (10–14 years old) and provides preliminary outcomes from the first 20 female participants. Advanced practice nurses provided frequent home and school visits and case management, and assisted girls to access an empowerment group over a 1-year period. Teens’ risk behaviors decreased, including truancy, runaway episodes, sexually transmitted infections, and substance use. Preliminary results suggest that this is an effective intervention for reducing risk behaviors and helping younger runaways reconnect to school and family.  Client-centered interventions in community settings can address the complex health needs of vulnerable young runaways.

Visit the Programs that Work section to explore programs which have been proven effective through rigorous evaluation.

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