Dexter R Voisin
Professor, The University of Chicago, USA
Title: Examining the relationship between psychotropic medication use and testing positive for chlamydia and gonorrhea among detained adolescents
Biography
Biography: Dexter R Voisin
Abstract
Objective: Youth with juvenile detention histories have higher rates of psychological problems, especially externalizing symptoms, relative to their peers with no such histories. This study examine whether psychotropic medication (PTM) use was related to testing positive for laboratory confirmed chlamydia and gonorrhea among detained adolescents. Methods A convenience sample of 550 detained adolescents ages 14–18 years were recruited from eight youth detention centers in Georgia. Using A-CASI technology, data were collected on demographic factors such as age, gender, socioeconomic status, use of PTM, and sexual risk behaviors. Chlamydia and gonorrhea diagnoses were assessed by laboratory testing. Results Thirteen percent (13.1%) of adolescents not using PTMs tested positive for STIs compared to only 4.9% of those reporting PTM use. PTM users had a 62% smaller odds ratio for testing positive for Chlamydia or Gonorrhea. Conclusion Findings suggest that use of psychotropic medication, if deemed useful by detained youth, may be a protective factor against engaging in behaviors which may culminate in contracting some sexually transmitted infections. These findings have important practice and psychiatric treatment implications for this population.
