Reasons for Nonuse of Contraception by Sexually Active Women Aged 15-19

Findings from 2 U.S. national probability household sample surveys (1971 and 1976) of women aged 15-19 indicate a rapid increase in premarital sexual activity and a definite shift toward use of more effective modern contraceptive methods. Although this shift has been dramatic a significant proportion of sexually active adolescent women have never used contraceptives or have used them sporadically. The findings indicate that few teenagers fail to use contraception in order to become pregnant. There is evidence that many are sexually active for up to a year before beginning contraceptive use. Based on the 1976 survey information reasons are explored that premaritally sexually active teenage women give for failing to use contraception. Information on the nonuse of contraception was elicited for the last reported unprotected premarital intercourse and in the case of respondents premaritally pregnant at interview for the time at which that conception occurred. Results definitely indicate that sexually active young women engage in a substantial amount of unprotected intercourse. Most believe they are protected by their youth infrequent sex or time of month or say sex was unexpected. The data dramatize the need among young people for greater knowledge of the facts about pregnancy including the risks of conception when contraception is not used and it is concluded that people providing contraceptive services to adolescent women must initiate new approaches which take account of ignorance about risk of pregnancy sporadic sexual encounters and earlier