Sexting (sending/receiving sexually explicit texts and images via cell phone) may be associated with sexual health consequences among adolescents. However, to date, no published data from a probability-based sample has examined associations between sexting activity.A probability of 1839 students was collected alongside the 2011 Youth Risk Behavior Survey in Los Angeles high schools. Logistic regressions were used assess correlates behavior risk-taking.Fifteen percent adolescents phone access...

We examined correlations between gender, race, sexual identity, and technology use, patterns of cyberbullying experiences behaviors among middle-school students.We collected a probability sample 1285 students alongside the 2012 Youth Risk Behavior Survey in Los Angeles Unified School District middle schools. used logistic regressions to assess correlates being cyberbully perpetrator, victim, perpetrator-victim (i.e., bidirectional behavior).In this sample, 6.6% reported 5.0% 4.3%...

Abstract: We investigated pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) uptake, adherence, and discontinuation among young app-using men who have sex with in California (N = 761). Approximately, 9.7% of participants had ever used PrEP; 87% those deemed good candidates for screening (indicated by a Centers Disease Control Prevention risk index score ≥10) were not current or past users. PrEP use was associated higher income [adjusted odds ratio (aOR): 4.13; confidence interval (CI): 1.87 to 9.12], receptive...

While correlates of pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) uptake have been explored among older men who sex with (MSM), less is known about the facilitators and barriers that encourage younger MSM (YMSM). This study explores association between willingness to take PrEP demographic characteristics, sexual risk, substance use, attitudinal factors YMSM in California use geosocial networking applications (GSN apps). Based on survey data from recruited through GSN apps (n = 687), was positively...

The implications of teen sexting for healthy development continue to concern parents, academics, and the general public. Using a probability sample high school students ( N = 1,208) aged 12–18, prevalence sexting, associations with between sexing sexual activity were assessed. Seventeen percent both sent received sexts, 24% only sexts. Sending receiving sexts positively associated each other behaviors having peers who sext. Lifetime reports intercourse, anal sex, oral recent unprotected sex...

Los Angeles County has experienced a rapid increase in early syphilis among men who have sex with (MSM) recent years, the number of cases rising from 126 2000 to 809 2005. As part public health response this outbreak, sustained social marketing campaign was launched 2002, objectives increasing testing, knowledge, and awareness MSM Angeles. This campaign, as implemented, exemplified key principles marketing, including market research, audience segmentation, branding. A cross-sectional study...

Background Persons with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) who get and keep a suppressed viral load are unlikely to transmit HIV. Simple, practical interventions help achieve HIV suppression that easy inexpensive administer in clinical settings needed. We evaluated whether brief video containing HIV-related health messages targeted all patients the waiting room improved treatment initiation, medication adherence, retention care. Methods findings In quasi-experimental trial (N = 2,023)...

This article presents an evaluation of inSPOTLA.org, a sexually transmitted disease partner notification Web site in Los Angeles County primarily targeting men who have sex with (MSM). Since its launch 2005, this has received more than 400,000 visitors and resulted nearly 50,000 e-mail postcards sent. However, there been limited quantitative data concerning use the service for actual notification. study investigated awareness inSPOTLA among MSM, as well effect advertising campaign.Data from...

In response to high chlamydia and gonorrhea morbidity, particularly among young African American Latina women, the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health launched a free home testing program for Chlamydia trachomatis Neisseria gonorrhoeae. The primary objectives were increase by removing key barriers motivate women screen routinely these sexually transmitted diseases (STDs). was promoted with social marketing campaign urging order collection kits online or telephone. program's first...

In 2007, the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health launched Check Yourself, a new social marketing campaign, as part ongoing efforts to address persistent syphilis epidemic among men who have sex with (MSM) in county. The goals campaign were increase testing and knowledge MSM. Yourself was planned careful attention principles marketing, including formative research, market segmentation, an emphasis on building strong brand.A cross-sectional survey using time-location sample...

Lesbian, gay, and bisexual (LGB) adults in the United States have a higher prevalence of smoking than their heterosexual counterparts. In 2013, Los Angeles County Department Public Health launched social marketing outreach campaign called Break Up to reduce LGB communities. was evaluated using cross-sectional, street-intercept surveys before near end campaign. Surveys measured demographics, awareness, self-reported smoking-related outcomes. Bivariate statistics logistic regression models...

Although Valley fever represents a growing public health challenge for Central and Southern Californian residents, awareness remains severely limited. The California Department of Public Health (CDPH) ran cross-platform campaign to mitigate this gap impact prevention behavior. This study evaluates exposure the CDPH campaign, followed by an examination information consumption patterns associated with key outcomes. Results suggest that successfully improved knowledge accuracy, reduced...

We examined perceptions of and attitudes toward existing potential syphilis interventions, including case management Web-based programs, to increase testing among high-risk men who have sex with (MSM).

Individuals born between 1945 and 1965 (“baby boomers”) account for an estimated three quarters of all hepatitis C (HCV) infections in the United States. This article describes evaluation Test4HepC, a program that uses social media website to promote HCV testing baby boomers Los Angeles County, California. The first 16 months Test4HepC were evaluated using online survey (n = 302), qualitative interviews 20), analytics, records free offered though program. Test4HepC.org had 6,919 visitors; 48...

While teen pregnancy rates in the United States have been declining for decades, they remain highest of all western countries. Within U.S., Black and Latina teens experience disproportionate unplanned pregnancy. Plan A is an entertainment-education video intervention that was developed to help address these disparities, part by emphasizing ability young cisgender women control when become pregnant using effective contraception method. The close collaboration with target audience (Black aged...

ABSTRACT BACKGROUND Lesbian, gay, bisexual, or questioning ( LGBQ ) high school students experience higher rates of homelessness than their heterosexual peers. Moreover, are more likely to stay in riskier locations (eg, with a stranger) and less shelter. This study tested whether these trends also apply middle students. METHODS Using representative data, we examined sexual identity among Los Angeles Unified School District RESULTS Nearly 10% identified as 23.5% experienced at least 1 night...

Older adolescent African American and Latina females have disproportionately high rates of unintended pregnancies sexually transmitted infections (STIs). This article describes the development a new video intervention for this population, modeled on Safe in City (SITC), an evidence-based STI prevention video. Plan A was created from 2015 to 2016, using systematic process similar SITC. included forming project team with reproductive health experts, hiring production company screenwriter,...

CONTEXT In urban areas of the United States, syphilis is a major public health issue for men who have sex with men, despite widespread efforts to curtail growing epidemic; repeated infections are not uncommon in this population. The ways that experience and conceptualize syphilis, how their attitudes beliefs impact risk infection, poorly understood. METHODS In‐depth interviews were conducted 2010–2011 19 Los Angeles County aged 21–54 reported having male partners had two or more early within...

OBJECTIVE: It is unknown if “sexting” (ie, sending/receiving sexually explicit cell phone text or picture messages) associated with sexual activity and risk behavior among early adolescents, as has been found for high school students. To date, no published data have examined these relationships exclusively a probability sample of middle METHODS: A 1285 students was collected alongside the 2012 Youth Risk Behavior Survey in Los Angeles schools. Logistic regressions assessed correlates sexting...