Final answer:
The claim is true; teens who drink heavily are less likely to use condoms, increasing their risk for HIV infection. Education on safe sex practices is more effective than abstinence-only programs in reducing STIs and unintended pregnancies.
Step-by-step explanation:
The statement that suggests, among sexually active teens, those who average five or more drinks daily were nearly three times less likely to use condoms is true. Alcohol can impair judgment and decision-making, which may lead to the decreased use of condoms. This behavior places teens at a higher risk of HIV infection as consistent condom use is a significant preventive measure against the transmission of HIV. It is important from a public health perspective to promote safe sex practices including the use of condoms and comprehensive sex education over programs that solely emphasize abstinence, as research indicates such educational approaches are more effective in reducing unintended pregnancies and the spread of sexually transmitted infections (STIs).