Teen-agers get message on effective contraception
Good news: According to a new analysis of National Survey of Family Growth (NSFG) data, researchers report an increase in the number of sexually experienced teens using highly effective contraceptive methods such as the intrauterine device, implant, pill, patch, ring, or injectable contraceptive.1
Researchers from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in Atlanta looked at three survey cycles of the NSFG: 1995, 2002, and 2006-2010.They noted that highly effective method use varied by race/ethnicity, with higher rates observed for non-Hispanic whites (66%), compared to non-Hispanic black (46%) and Hispanic teens (54%). The analysis indicated that during 2006-2010, 57% of females ages 15-19 years had never had sex (defined as vaginal intercourse), an increase from 49% in 1995. Younger teens (ages 15-17) were more likely not to have had sex (73%) than older teens (36%); the proportion of teens who had never had sex did not differ by race/ethnicity, the analysis reveals.1
This good news comes on the heels of reports indicating that the U.S. teen pregnancy rate is at its lowest level in 40 years and the teen birth rate is at the lowest point reported since consistent data was collected in the 1950s.2,3
U.S. adolescents still are in need of consistent, accurate information about pregnancy prevention, according to results of a just-released national survey conducted by The National Campaign to Prevent Teen and Unplanned Pregnancy in Washington, DC show.4 Even though most teens ages 12-19 (86%) say they have all the information they need to avoid an unplanned pregnancy, 66% say they know "little or nothing" about male condoms and how to use them (including 36% of those ages 15-19).4 Racial/ethnic gaps in knowledge are evident in the campaign' s survey results; three-quarter of Hispanic teens were less likely than white (86%) or black (81%) teens to say they know how to avoid an unplanned pregnancy.4
"Teen pregnancy and birth rates are at record lows, but now is not the time to let up on the gas," said Sarah Brown, the campaign' s chief executive officer in a statement accompanying the survey data publication. "It is still the case that nearly three in 10 teen girls in this country become pregnant before age 20 and that the U.S. still has the highest teen pregnancy rate among comparable countries."
Tailor message for teen
Culturally competent sexual and reproductive health counseling is extremely important to increase the use of highly effective contraception among all adolescents and to address racial/ethnic disparities in highly effective method use, says Crystal Pirtle Tyler, PhD, a health scientist in the CDC' s Division of Reproductive Health and lead author of the current research.
Consider the values that teens are bringing to the table before offering counseling, Tyler suggests. In one case, contraceptive counseling could include a discussion of how use of the most effective methods could help the teen-ager achieve her/his future goals. On the other hand, discussions on the correct and consistent use of contraception could include asking about the teen' s ability to remember to take a pill everyday, thus tying more into the "culture" of being a teen-ager who might not remember to take a pill at the same time each day, Tyler observes. Further still, an adolescent could come from a culture of myths surrounding various contraceptive methods or a mistrust of the whole health care system, Tyler notes. In this particular case, the counseling might look significantly different from the previous-mentioned strategies, she states.
"Either way, sexual and reproductive health counseling should consider the culture of each particular teen," says Tyler.
How can your facility get up to speed on offering culturally competent care for adolescents? Physicians for Reproductive Choice and Health (PRCH) in New York City offers one solution. Its Adolescent Reproductive and Sexual Health Education Project provides a module on "Cultural Competency and Adolescent Health," which can be freely downloaded as a PowerPoint presentation. Go to the PRCH web site, www.prch.org, and select "Resources," then "Adolescent Reproductive and Sexual Health Education Project (ARSHEP)." Select "Cultural Competency and Adolescent Health (UPDATED: March 2012)" to view the presentation.
References
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Sexual experience and contraceptive use among female teens — United States, 1995, 2002, and 2006-2010. MMWR 2012; 61:297-301.
- Kost K, Henshaw S. U.S. Teenage pregnancies, births and abortions, 2008: National Trends by Age, Race and Ethnicity, 2012. Accessed at http://bit.ly/zINgwC.
- Hamilton BE, Ventura SJ. Birth Rates for U.S. Teenagers Reach Historic Lows for All Age and Ethnic Groups. NCHS Data Brief, No. 89. Hyattsville, MD: National Center for Health Statistics. 2012.
- The National Campaign to Prevent Teen and Unplanned Pregnancy. With One Voice 2012: Highlights from a Survey of Teens and Adults about Teen Pregnancy and Related Issues. Accessed at http://bit.ly/Iq1zB3.
You have reached your article limit for the month. Subscribe now to access this article plus other member-only content.
- Award-winning Medical Content
- Latest Advances & Development in Medicine
- Unbiased Content