May 2005 • www.pediatricnews.com Infectious Diseases 13 Pledges Don’t Protect Against STDs

BY MICHELE G. SULLIVAN consistent pledgers were still virgins, com- sistent pledgers, and 26.7% among con- inconsistent pledgers. About 0.7% of non- Mid-Atlantic Bureau pared with 10% of inconsistent pledgers sistent pledgers. pledgers reported but not vaginal and 6% of nonpledgers. Pledgers did have fewer sexual partners sex, compared with 1.2% of pledgers. eens who take a Delaying first intercourse had no sig- than nonpledgers (average of 1.5 partners About 1% of male nonpledgers report- pledge delay their sexual debut for nificant effect on STD incidence in the vs. 2.4 partners), and were not exposed as ed anal, but not vaginal, sex, compared Ta few years, but they have just as groups, however. About 6.9% of non- long to STD risk. However, they were with 3% of male inconsistent pledgers many sexually transmitted infections as pledgers, 6.4% of inconsistent pledgers, more likely to engage in noncoital sexual and 4% of male consistent pledgers. nonpledgers, probably because they are and 4.6% of consistent pledgers tested contact. Condom use during these experiences more likely to engage in noncoital sex and positive for trichomoniasis, chlamydia, About 3% of respondents reported oral was very low for all respondents: Only aren’t as likely to use a condom during any and/or gonorrhea. sex but no vaginal sex. About 2% of non- 4% reported using a condom during oral sexual activity. For HPV infection, the rates were 26.5% pledgers fell into that group, compared sex, and about 30% reported using one Hannah Brückner, Ph.D., and Peter among nonpledgers, 28.5% among incon- with 13% of consistent pledgers and 5% of for anal sex. ■ Bearman, Ph.D., said their findings might put a new spin on programs that stress ab- stinence as the only way to avoid STDs and . “The all-or-nothing ap- proach ...may create additional barriers to knowledge and protection for adolescents. For example, the emphasis on may encourage adolescents to limit their sexual activity to noncoital behaviors, which may nevertheless expose them to risks of infection” (J. Adolesc. Health 2005;36:271-8). Health care behavior by pledgers further complicates the Teens who take a problem, they noted. “It is im- sexual abstinence portant to know pledge were not that pledgers exposed as long are less likely than non- to STD risk. pledgers to be However, they tested for STDs and to have ever were more likely seen a doctor to engage in because they are worried noncoital sexual about an STD,” behaviors. said the investi- gators of Yale University, New Haven, Conn. and Co- lumbia University, New York. The researchers extracted data gathered from 2001 to 2002, during the third wave of the National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent Health. During this wave, re- spondents were age 18-24 years. A total of 11,471 respondents provided urine sam- ples for STD testing (chlamydia, gonor- rhea, and trichomoniasis). An additional 3,317 sexually active female respondents were randomly selected for human papil- ® loma virus (HPV) testing. Pledge status was collected from all Cetaphil Therapeutic Skincare three waves of the survey. Nonpledgers re- ported no abstinence pledge during any of from diaper rash to acne the waves. Consistent pledgers reported pledging during all waves or pledging for Cetaphil® cleansers and moisturizers are ideal for your patients with healthy skin, atopic dermatitis, dry skin the first time during wave 3. Inconsistent and other common skin conditions. Cetaphil® cleansers provide gentle cleansing in non-soap, neutral pH, pledgers reported pledging during an ear- ® ly wave but not a subsequent wave. hypoallergenic formulations. Cetaphil moisturizers offer therapeutic hydration that’s fragrance-free and Most of the group (80%) were non- non-comedogenic to help heal and protect sensitive skin. From tots to teens, Cetaphil® has them covered. pledgers. Only 7% were consistent pledgers; 13% were inconsistent pledgers. Consistent and inconsistent pledgers de- layed their time to first coitus by several years, compared with nonpledgers. Among nonpledgers, 75% reported first intercourse by age 18. Inconsistent pledgers reached the 75th percentile by age 20, and consistent pledgers by age 24. Male pledgers delayed intercourse the longest. By age 25, 25% of consistent male pledgers were still virgins, compared with www.cetaphil.com 15% of inconsistent pledgers and 7% of nonpledgers. By age 25, 21% of female ©2005 Galderma Laboratories, L.P. Galderma and Cetaphil are registered trademarks. Galderma Laboratories, L.P. 14501 N. Freeway, Fort Worth, TX 76177 CET-599 Printed in USA 01/05