Citation

Munro-Kramer ML, Fava NM, Saftner MA, Darling-Fisher CS, Tate NH, Stoddard SA, Martyn KK. J. Am. Assoc. Nurse Pract. 2016; 28(9): 493-502.

Affiliation

Emory University Nell Hodgson Woodruff School of Nursing, Atlanta, Georgia.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2016, John Wiley and Sons)

DOI

10.1002/2327-6924.12352

PMID

26990394

Abstract

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Research on Arab-Americans as a distinct ethnic group is limited, especially when considering the health of Arab-American youth. This study describes health risk (substance use, violence); health promotive behaviors (hope, spirituality); and sexual activity (oral, vaginal, anal sex) of Arab-American adolescents and emerging adults (aged 15-23) within their life context, as well as the association between these behaviors.

METHODS: A secondary analysis of data on a subset of Arab-American participants obtained from a randomized-control trial was utilized to conduct mixed methods analyses. Qualitative analyses completed on the open-ended questions used the constant comparative method for a subsample (n = 24) of participants. Descriptive quantitative analyses of survey data utilized bivariate analyses and stepwise logistic regression to explore the relation between risk behaviors and sexual activity among the full sample (n = 57).

CONCLUSIONS: Qualitative analyses revealed two groups of participants: (a) multiple risk behaviors and negative life-events, and (b) minimal risk behaviors and positive life-events. Quantitative analyses indicated older youth, smokers, and those with higher hope pathways were more likely to report vaginal sex. IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE: The unique cultural and social contexts of Arab-American youth provide a framework for recommendations for the prevention of risk behaviors.

©2016 American Association of Nurse Practitioners.

Language: en