Moderating Effects of Gender on Alcohol Use: Implications for Condom Use at First Intercourse

Abstract

This study examined whether the effects of level of alcohol consumption on condom use at first sex depend on adolescents' gender, utilizing data from Wave I of the National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent Health (Add Health). Compared to girls who did not consume any alcohol, inebriated girls were significantly less likely to use a condom at first intercourse (odds ratio = 0.41, p <or= .001). There was no difference for girls with some alcohol use or for boys, regardless of alcohol use level. Other sociodemographic variables negatively associated with condom use were having a young age at first sex, being Asian American, and living in a stepfamily with one's biological father; mother's education was positively associated with condom use. Adjusted predicted probabilities showed that girls who had first sex younger than 14 years and who were inebriated had the lowest probability of using a condom (p = .384). The results support the hypothesis that alcohol use during sex has a negative effect on condom use at first sex, moderated by gender. Adolescent reproductive health programs that also include alcohol education may prove useful.