How many is too many for BC youth? Alcohol use and associated harms
Although the legal drinking age in British Columbia is 19 years, many youth begin to experiment with alcohol before this age. Studies have shown that alcohol consumption by youth under the age of 19 is associated with an increased likelihood of involvement in health risks, such as a vehicle crash or a sexual or physical […]
Our communities, our youth: The health of homeless and street-involved youth in BC
Homeless and street-involved youth are among the most vulnerable populations in Canada and experience significant health inequities. The 2014 Homeless and Street-Involved Youth Survey (HSIYS) captured information from youth living in 13 diverse communities across British Columbia between October 2014 and January 2015. A total of 689 youth (aged 12–19 years) participated, from which we […]
Sexual Health of Youth in BC
Adolescence is an important time in sexual development. It includes physical changes of puberty as well as changes in emotions and cognitive abilities. During this time, most youth develop romantic and sexual attractions, begin to understand their sexuality, and some enter their first romantic relationships. Some young people will also have sexual relationships. Legally the […]
![Teal and blue gradient background with white text that says ““That's What I Wish I Could Talk to my Doctor About!”: Young People and Sexual Pleasure [abstract]”](https://www.saravyc.ubc.ca/files/2014/05/“Thats-What-I-Wish-I-Could-Talk-to-my-Doctor-About”-Young-People-and-Sexual-Pleasure-abstract_Twitter-360x180.png)
“That’s What I Wish I Could Talk to my Doctor About!”: Young People and Sexual Pleasure [abstract]
Purpose: In spite of research showing that young people want their family doctors to help educate them about sexual health, clinicians are not likely to provide this type of counselling. Clinical conversations often emphasize the risks of sexual activity, and in many regards, this emphasis is well placed. However, research demonstrates that a singular focus on […]
![Teal and blue gradient background with white text that says “Beyond the stereotypes: Variation in sexual exploitation experiences of youth evaluated at a hospital-based child advocacy centre [abstract]”](https://www.saravyc.ubc.ca/files/2014/05/Beyond-the-stereotypes-Variation-in-sexual-exploitation-experiences-of-youth-evaluated-at-a-hospital-based-child-advocacy-centre-abstract_Twitter-360x180.png)
Beyond the stereotypes: Variation in sexual exploitation experiences of youth evaluated at a hospital-based child advocacy centre [abstract]
Purpose: Much of the current research about sexually exploited youth draws from street youth services or programs for exiting, yet clinical services may reach a different population. The primary aim of this study was to describe the abuse experiences of sexually exploited runaway adolescents assessed at a hospital-based child advocacy center. We also sought to […]
Enacted stigma and HIV risk behaviours among sexual minority indigenous youth in Canada, New Zealand, and the United States
Abstract Enacted stigma has been linked to increased HIV risk behaviours among sexual minority youth, but despite higher rates of HIV and other STIs, there is very little research with Indigenous youth. In this study, secondary analyses of three population-based, school surveys were conducted to explore the associations between HIV risk and enacted stigma among […]
Adolescent pregnancy among lesbian, gay, and bisexual teens
This chapter focuses on a rarely-explored issue. Most people who think of adolescent pregnancy, assumes it is an issue exclusively among heterosexual youth. After all, pregnancy during the teen years usually requires penile–vaginal intercourse; there are no known countries where clinicians will provide artificial insemination to adolescents wishing to become pregnant, as adult lesbian women […]
Studying the playbook: Which pathways mediate relationships between sports team participation and health-risk behaviors among alternative high school students?
Abstract Alternative high school (AHS) students engage in high levels of substance use and risky sexual behaviors. Sports team participation holds great potential for building resilience and preventing health-risk behaviors. Yet, little is known about sports team participation among this population. We used logistic regression-based path analytic frameworks (multiple mediator models) to simultaneously explore whether […]
Guest speakers in school-based sexuality education
Abstract This study, using data from a statewide survey (n = 332), examined teachers’ practices regarding the inclusion of guest speakers to cover sexuality content. More than half of teachers (58%) included guest speakers. In multivariate analyses, teachers who taught high school, had professional preparation in health education, or who received professional development covering sexually […]
Relationships between sports team participation and health-risk behaviors among alternative high school students
Abstract Background: Evidence suggests that sports team participation differentially relates to health-risk behaviors. Few studies have explored relationships among high-risk youth. Purpose: To examine associations between weekly sports team participation and health-risk behaviors (substance use, sexual risk-taking, violence involvement) among alternative high school (AHS) students. Methods: Data for this repeated cross-sectional analysis came from the […]
