Why They Delay: A Study of Teenage Family Planning Clinic Patients

Teenagers wait an average of about 1 year before seeking birth control help at a family planning clinic. Nearly 4 in 10 teens come to the clinic only because they fear they are pregnant; only 1 in 7 come for help in anticipation of their 1st sexual encounter. While 3/4 use a nonprescription method at some time before they arrive at the clinic, most use methods of doubtful effectiveness and 1/2 of these used no method at last intercouse. Blacks are more likely than whites to come to the clinic as virgins or soon after beginning intercourse. Fear of pregnancy is the main reason given for finally going to the clinic, and fear that the family would find out was often mentioned. Shorter delays found among users of nonmedical methods suggest that initiative to expand and improve such usage may help teenagers prevent pregnancies during the early part of their sexual careers and also accelerate their adoption of more effective methods. If clinics become known as a source of free supplies of nonprescription methods as well as of general contraceptive advice, they might be more utilized by teenagers earlier. Thorough counseling about these methods as a backup to prescription methods is also needed. The importance of emphasizing confidentiality is noted, although it is also noted that teenagers who are able to talk to their parents about such matters are more likely to come to the clinic before or soon after they begin having intercourse. Data came from a 1980 survey of a wide range of family planning services in 8 cities, representing over 1200 adolescents.