American Journal of Men’s Health

1–10

© The Author(s) 2016

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DOI: 10.1177/1557988316629627

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Article

Introduction

Disparities in health care access and outcomes continue to

affect individuals in the United States. Despite substantial

progress since the 1980s, there continue to be prominent

differences in health status based on gender (Frieden,

2011). Great strides have been made in addressing health

outcomes for women. However, men remain at increased

risk for numerous negative health-related outcomes,

including motor vehicle accidents, suicide, coronary heart

disease, preventable hospitalization, hypertension and its

sequelae, and sexually transmitted infections (STIs;

Frieden, 2011).

Racial minorities, specifically Hispanics and African

Americans, are affected by health disparities including

lack of health insurance and access to care when com-

pared with Whites (Frieden, 2011; Russell, 2010). For

example, racial minorities experience higher rates of can-

cer, heart disease, and stroke than Whites (Russell, 2010).

Hispanic and African Americans, compared with Whites,

also have higher rates of adverse sexual and reproductive

health (SRH) outcomes—outcomes related to the state of

an individual’s reproductive system. Disparities in SRH

outcomes include a higher percentage of Hispanic and

African Americans contracting STIs and human immuno-

deficiency virus (HIV) than Whites (Conklin, 2012;

Frieden, 2011). Adolescent pregnancy rates for Hispanics

and African Americans are three and two and a half times

those of Whites, respectively (Frieden, 2011). African

American youth, both males and females, report first sex-

ual intercourse at earlier ages than other racial groups (;

Conklin, 2012). Early sexual intercourse and a relatively

large number of sexual partners increase youths’ risk for

STIs including HIV (Davies et al., 2014).

While minorities in general are affected by poor health

outcomes, young minority males are especially vulnerable

629627

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10. 1 7/1 579 831 629627American Journal of Men’s Health

Pastuszak et al.

research-article

2016

1

Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA

Corresponding Author:

Alexander W. Pastuszak, Division of Male Reproductive Medicine

and Surgery, Scott Department of Urology, Center for Reproductive

Medicine, Baylor College of Medicine, 6624 Fannin Street, Suite 1700,

Houston, TX 77030, USA.

Email: pastusza@bcm.edu

Comprehensive Assessment of

Health Needs of Young Minority Males

Attending a Family Planning Clinic

Alexander W. Pastuszak, MD, PhD

1

, Evan P. Wenker, MD

1

,

Peggy B. Smith, PhD

1

, Allyssa Abacan, MPH

1

, Dolores J. Lamb, PhD

1

,

Larry I. Lipshultz, MD

1

, and Ruth Buzi, PhD

1

Abstract

The objective of this study was to assess the overall health, including sexual and reproductive health (SRH) knowledge

and needs, sexual behaviors, and testicular health practices among young minority males. Anonymous questionnaires

were administered to 18- to 25-year-old males receiving services at health clinics in a large southwestern U.S. city.

The survey was completed by 258 males with a mean age of 20.8 years. Most young males (67.1%) identified as

African American, and 32.9% as Hispanic. Results suggest study participants lack SRH knowledge related to pregnancy

and condom effectiveness, and engage in risky sexual behavior including not using birth control at their last sexual

encounter. Although 21.6% of participants had a sexually transmitted infection (STI) in the past year, approximately

80% perceived their STI/HIV risk as very low or low. Respondents had low engagement and lack of knowledge of

testicular health practices. The majority of respondents (71.1%) reported having been in a physical fight one or more

times and 18.1% reported being victims of intimate partner violence. These data support a need for comprehensive

health services for minority young males.

Keywords

sexual health, reproductive health, male adolescent, genitourinary health

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