McAloney, Kareena and McCrystal, Patrick and Percy, Andrew (2010) Sex, drugs and STDs: Preliminary findings from the Belfast Youth Development Study. Drugs: Education, Prevention, and Policy, 17, (4), pp. 443-453. https://doi.org/10.3109/09687630903074826.
Young people's participation in sexual risk behaviours is commonly linked with participation in a range of other risky behaviours, and in particular with substance use behaviours.
This cross-sectional analysis of the sixth sweep of the Belfast Youth Development Study aimed to examine associations between substance use and sexual activity and related risks among 17–19-year olds in Northern Ireland. Being sexual activity and participating in sexual risk behaviours was associated with the use of a range of licit and illicit substances particularly alcohol and ecstasy. Additionally, females were more likely to have been tested for a sexually transmitted disease (STD).
The findings add to the existing research body suggesting that substance misuse and sexual risk behaviours tend to co-occur in adolescence and highlight a need to develop appropriate interventions and initiatives for school aged young people.
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