Purpose: To explore relationships between immigration measures and risk of reproductive and sexual events among U.S. Hispanic adolescents. Methods: We examined generation status, language in the home and country of origin in relation to sexual activity, contraception, and childbearing among 1614 Hispanic adolescents, using nationally representative 1997-2003 longitudinal data. Multivariable analyses controlled for potentially confounding variables. Tests for effect modification by gender and Mexican origin were conducted. Results: Fewer first generation adolescents transitioned to sexual intercourse before age 18 (odds ratio [OR] = .80, 95% confidence interval [CI] = .66-.98) and fewer first and second generation sexually active teens used contraceptives consistently at age 17 (OR = .32, 95% CI = .17-.60 and OR = .50, 95% CI = .31-.80, respectively) than third-generation teens. Language was similarly associated with the transition to sexual intercourse and contraceptive practices. Versus teens of Mexican origin, teens of Puerto Rican origin and origins other than Cuba and Central/South America had greater odds of becoming sexually active; youth of all origins except Central/South America had fewer multiple live births (OR = .14-.31). Gender modified the effects of generation on consistent use of contraceptives and condoms at age 17. Gender also modified the effect of country of origin on transitioning to sexual intercourse before age 18 years. Conclusions: Results expand on previous observations that generation, language, and country of origin are predictors of reproductive and sexual risks for Hispanic adolescents. These immigration measures may therefore be useful in targeting community and clinical preventive services. © 2009 Society for Adolescent Medicine.

Hispanic Mexican-American language Gender disparities Adolescent pregnancy reproductive health Epidemiology Acculturation Immigration

Reproductive Behavior sexual behavior health promotion human immigration Longitudinal Studies health service controlled study priority journal Logistic Models Central America Cuba Hispanic Americans Sexually Transmitted Diseases United States school child Humans Hispanic Adolescent male Emigrants and Immigrants Acculturation South America female Multivariate Analysis Contraception pregnancy Pregnancy in Adolescence adolescent pregnancy sexual health Article Adolescent Behavior sexual intercourse Sex Factors Age Factors Reproductive Health health hazard Child health survey