Technology-facilitated abuse as a risk factor for STI and pregnancy in early adulthood

Abstract

Background Background Technology-facilitated abuse (TFA) has emerged as a significant form of violence against adolescents and young adults (AYA). However, evidence is limited regarding the prevalence of forms of TFA among AYA and how TFA from partners influences other outcomes related to AYA sexual health and wellbeing. The aim of this study was to examine the prevalence of TFA exposure among AYA in an agricultural region in the United States, to identify associated risk factors, and assess its relationship to later sexual, mental, and violence-related health outcomes.Methods We analyzed data from a prospective cohort study of eighth graders from Salinas, California followed over eight years. Pregnancy and sexually transmitted infection (STI) testing were conducted in emerging adulthood (similar to age 20). TFA was measured using a 6-item scale of Cyber Dating. Log-binomial models were used to estimate risk ratios (RR) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) for the associations between any TFA in early and middle adolescence (similar to ages 13-15) with sexual health, mental health and violence outcomes in emerging adulthood.Results Among 373 participants with follow-up data, the median age of participants at baseline was 13.7 years (interquartile range (IQR) 13.4, 14) and the majority were female (56.0%, n=216), Latine (95.9%, n=370) and had at least one parent or grandparent from Mexico (88.9%, n=343). Over the entire study period in early adolescence, 41.7% (n=161) of participants reported ever having TFA experiences but the percentage was roughly 20% at any one visit. The most reported TFA type was a partner repeatedly contacting the participant via some form of technology to see where they were/who they were with. Exposure to TFA in early or middle adolescence was associated with a higher likelihood of pregnancy before age 20 (RR 1.71; 95% CI 1.02, 2. 84) and an STI diagnosis in emerging adulthood (RR 2.22; 95% CI 1.19, 4.16) in adjusted models.Conclusions TFA was relatively common among AYA throughout adolescence and into emerging adulthood. TFA was associated with teen pregnancy and STI acquisition. Further work is needed to understand mechanisms for this relationship and to integrate TFA into existing intimate partner violence prevention programming and reduce the negative effects of TFA on sexual and reproductive health.