The Article in Brief

In-depth interviews revealed that urban adolescent black and Latina girls dramatically shift how and where they seek help for health needs after becoming sexually active. Before the onset of sexual activity, most girls meet health needs within their families, relying heavily on mothers for health care and advice. Once sexually active, girls attempt to meet reproductive needs by extending their search for advice and care to "mother alternatives," such as older female family members. Although sexually active girls turn to new sources, they still want their care to be personalized, as was the care they received from their mothers. Many sexually active adolescent girls fail to establish trusting relationships with either health care professionals or "mother alternatives" and, as a result, they have unmet sexual health needs.