 |
The 130th Annual Meeting of APHA |
|
The 130th Annual Meeting of APHA |
Carolyn Tucker Halpern, PhD and Shelley A. G. Francis, MPH, CHES. School of Public Health, Dept. of Maternal & Child Health, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, 401 Rosenau Hall, 4th Floor, Campus Box 7400, Chapel Hill, NC 27599-7400
Religiosity is associated with reduced behavioral risk among adolescents. Multiple studies have demonstrated that more religious adolescents are less likely to begin sexual activity early. However, relatively few studies have examined the implications of religiosity for contraceptive behavior among teens who are sexually active. Findings from studies that have been conducted suggest that adolescents affiliated with fundamentalist religions are less likely to use contraception at first intercourse, and that these denomination/contraception associations may vary by race. However firm conclusions are unclear because available studies typically are based on localized or convenience samples, may reflect limited racial/ethnic diversity, or may be based on earlier cohorts of adolescents embedded in historically different contexts.
In this paper, we investigate the associations between adolescent contraceptive behavior and religiosity among sexually active adolescents using data from the National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent Health (Add Health). Add Health includes a nationally representative sample of youth who were in grades 7 to 12 during the 1994-95 school year. Contraceptive behaviors include: contraception use at first intercourse (no/yes), contraceptive use at most recent intercourse (no/yes), and, among contraceptors, type of contraceptive used. Religiosity is indexed by a factor score based on multiple indicators of private and public aspects of religiosity. The conservatism of denominational affiliation will also be examined to assess its associations with contraception. Logistic regression models will be used to predict contraceptive behavior. Respondent age, biological sex, and race/ethnicity will also be included as predictors, and their potential moderating effects on religiosity/contraception linkages examined.
Learning Objectives: At the conclusion of this presentation attendees will be able to
Keywords: Adolescent Health, Contraception
Presenting author's disclosure statement:
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.