Latinas have the highest adolescent birthrates of any major ethnic group in the US. Although preventing teenage pregnancy has been a goal for decades, it has been less clear how males, including Latinos, can and should participate in prevention efforts. Since 1996, California’s Male Involvement Program (MIP) is one community-based program that attempts to empower and educate young men to take responsibility in preventing teenage pregnancy. Given that nearly half (49%) of participants are Latino, the MIP’s evaluation offers valuable insight into the attitudes and behavior of Latino males and how this group might best be reached with prevention services. A survey of MIP participants revealed that the mean age at first intercourse was 13.5 years for Latinos, as compared to 13.0 years for African-Americans and 14.0 years for Caucasian and Asian males. Sixty-two percent of Latinos reported using contraception the last time they had sex, a rate not statistically different than other ethnicities. Latino males were more likely to reporting using condoms, with 58% reporting condom use always or most of the time. Moreover, while 81% of Latinos reported not wanting their partner to be pregnant, 60% felt they would gain more respect from friends with a pregnancy. This finding was most pronounced for Latino males as compared to other ethnic groups. Given the projected boom in California’s adolescent population by the year 2005, it is imperative to understand the behaviors and attitudes of Latino adolescent and young adults and to reach this group with prevention programming.
Learning Objectives: 1. Describe the reproductive knowledge, attitudes, and practices of young men participating in California’s Male Involvement Program. 2. Identify the differences in reproductive behavior and attitudes between Latino males and other ethnicities.
Keywords: Latinos, Male Reproductive Health
Presenting author's disclosure statement:
Organization/institution whose products or services will be discussed: California Office of Family Planning
Male Involvement Program
University of California, San Francisco
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.