¶ … Kershaw, T. et al. (2011). The Skinny on Sexual Risk: The Effects of BMI on STI Incidence. AIDS and Behavior, 15. 7 Oct 2011; 1527-38.
My research topic deals with a unique segment of the population and how that population is dealing with a specific behavior that is heath threatening. Specifically, my research question asks what are the impacts of a relationship with a child's father and how these relationships affect teenage single mothers and their occurrence of sexual transmitted diseases.
Kershaw et al. (2011) suggested that there was a relationship between body mass index (BMI), obesity and sexually risky behaviors. The purpose of their study was "to determine whether BMI among 704 young mothers (ages 14 -- 25) related to STI incidence and sexual risk. We examined the effect of BMI groups (normal weight, overweight, and obese) at 6 months postpartum on STI incidence and risky sex (e.g., unprotected sex, multiple partners, risky and casual partner) at 12 months post-partum, (p.1527).
Null Hypotheses
Risky sexual behavior and BMI have no correlation in young mothers.
Alternative Hypothesis
Evidence suggests that obese young mothers my have less sex and fewer partners which reduces their rate of STDs.
Sampling Procedures
The data was gathered using a sub-analysis of a large randomized control group of 1047 pregnant young women. The data was collected from the assessments at the given time intervals.
Independent/Dependent Variable
The BMI was used as the dependent variable and STD occurrence was used as the independent variable.
Alpha Level
Alpha coefficient was not used in the statistical models of this study.
Outcome
The results of this study support the importance of the association between BMI and sexual risk, and suggest the need for sexual risk prevention and weight loss programs among young mothers.
Questions and Personal Design
-How important is BMI to overall health?
-Is there a difference in the severity of STD/STI's, if so how does that affect the importance of the study's outcome.
Designing a study for my topic would require assigning the independent variable STD occurrence and the dependent variable would be that mother's relationship status with her child's father.
References
Kershaw, T. et al. (2011). The Skinny on Sexual Risk: The Effects of BMI on STI Incidence. AIDS and Behavior, 15. 7 Oct 2011; 1527-38.
