Teens Having Sex for Money and Drugs

[Angel]

Researchers in a recent study interviewed more than 13,000 teens and found more than 3 percent of them had exchanged sex for money or drugs on at least one occasion. Nearly two-thirds of that 3 percent were males.

Substance use, in any form, was linked to a greater chance of exchange involving sex. Of those who claimed to have made this exchange, 10 percent said they had used cocaine in the last 30 days.

Diagnosis of a sexually transmitted infection (STI) or disease (STD) was present in a significant number of the teens who exchanged sex. Roughly 20 percent of females who provided sex to get drugs or money said they had been diagnosed with an STI or HIV.

A greater likelihood of sexual exchange was present in teens with characteristics including African-American ethnicity, depression, a non-traditional home setting and parents with no higher education. Adolescents who left home in the past year also had a greater risk.

Study authors note it is important for future research to examine exactly what constitutes sex exchange, the reasons behind the act, the environment in which it occurs, and other factors that may contribute to sexual exchange like parents who use drugs.