Application of the Theory of Gender and Power to Examine Partner Notification Practices Among A Population of Urban Adolescent and Young Adult African American Females in the Southeastern United States Open Access

Abstract

Objective: The purpose of the present study is to apply the constructs of the Theory of Gender and Power to a population of adolescent and young adult African American females in an urban area of the Southeastern United States to determine the individual and partner characteristics associated with partner notification for sexually transmitted infections.

Design: This study was a secondary analysis of baseline data collected from a randomized controlled trial of an HIV behavioral intervention. Participants were 701 sexually active African American females between 14 and 20 years of age recruited from three sexual health clinics serving predominantly inner-city adolescents in a city in the Southeastern United States. Multivariable logistic regression was used for the analyses.

Main Outcome Measure: Partner notification for sexually transmitted infections.

Results: A significant increase in odds of notifying partners the last time participants had a sexually transmitted infection were seen in participants over the age of 18 (OR = 2.79; 95% CI = 1.35 to 5.79; p = 0.006) and with lower acquired risk for the composite variable for the Sexual Division of Power (2.36; 95% CI = 1.07 to 5.18; p < 0.033). The remaining constructs were associated with an increase in odds of notifying partners, but not a statistically significant degree: less than four lifetime vaginal sex partners (OR 2.01; 95% CI = 0.88 to 4.59; p = 0.097), current boyfriend (OR = 1.30; 95% CI = 0.58 to 2.92; p = 0.531), lower acquired risk for the Sexual Division of Labor (OR = 1.84; 95% CI = 0.79 to 4.32; p = 0.159), and lower acquired risk for the Structure of Cathexis (OR = 1.57; 95% CI = 0.75 to 3.28; p = 0.23).

Conclusion: Findings from the present study have demonstrated that partner notification practices are associated with constructs within the Theory of Gender and Power particularly as they relate to age and the Sexual Division of Power. The study suggests that partner notification interventions need to explicitly address the power inequity that may be present between adolescent and young adult African American females and their male partners.

Table of Contents

Background...................................................................................................2

• Sexually transmitted infections in the United States......................................2
• Possible sequelae of untreated sexually transmitted infections........................3
• Sexually transmitted infections among young African American women............3
• Reinfection among African American women................................................5
• The role of partner notification..................................................................6
• Partner notification among adolescent women in the United States..................7
• Theory of Gender and Power.....................................................................9
• Applications of the Theory of Gender and Power..........................................11
• Study Purpose.......................................................................................12

Methods.......................................................................................................12

• Procedure.............................................................................................12
• Data Collection......................................................................................13
• Measures..............................................................................................13

Data Analysis.................................................................................................21

Results.........................................................................................................22

• Modeling Predictors of Partner Notification..................................................27

Discussion.....................................................................................................28

• Strengths and Limitations.........................................................................33

Conclusion.....................................................................................................36

References....................................................................................................38

About this Master's Thesis

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School	Rollins School of Public Health
Department	Behavioral Sciences and Health Education
Degree	MPH
Submission	Master's Thesis
Language	English
Research Field	Health Sciences, Public Health
Keyword	Gender Power Sexually Transmitted Infections Partner Notification
Committee Chair / Thesis Advisor	Sales, Jessica, Emory University
Committee Members	Dunlop, Anne Lang, Emory University Diclemente, Ralph Joseph, Emory University
Partnering Agencies	Emory University schools, faculty or affiliated programs

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