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APHA Scientific Session and Event Listing

Mary Aruda, PhD and Susan Kelly-Weeder, PhD, APRN, BC. William F Connell School of Nursing, Boston College, 140 Commonwealth Avenue, Cushing Hall, Chestnut Hill, MA 02467, 617 552 8018, arudama@bc.edu

Background: Current evidence suggests that more adolescent women are using contraceptives, however, the overall rate of sexually active childbearing aged women who are not using contraceptives has increased from 5.4% in 1995 to 7.4% in 2002. This represents an increase of approximately 1.43 million women who are at risk for unintended pregnancy and sexually transmitted infections. Purpose: The purpose of this study is to determine the significant predictors of unprotected sexual intercourse in a sample of childbearing aged women. This study will investigate demographic variables, measures of previous health care experience, impact of social influence and environmental variables as well as variables that address cognitive appraisal and affective response. Methods: (Design) A secondary data analysis of the 2002 National Survey of Family Growth (NSFG) data, guided by the concepts and relationships proposed within the Interaction Model of Client Health Behavior (IMCHB) a previously tested conceptual framework of health behavior, will be utilized for this investigation. (Sample) A nationally representative stratified random sample of 7,643 women between the ages of 15 and 44 responded to the 2002 NSFG and will be included in this study. (Analyses) Bivariate associations will be examined with chi square significance tests or one way analysis of variance. A combination of logistic and multiple regression modeling techniques will be used to offer a model of the predictors of unprotected sexual intercourse in childbearing aged women. (Analyses will be completed by June 2006) Conclusions and Implications: Results generated from this study have the potential to inform the development of strategies to identify women at risk for unprotected intercourse and educate them about these potential risks.

Learning Objectives: At the conclusion of the session the participant will be able to

• Identify the major contributing factors that are associated with unprotected sexual intercourse in women of childbearing age.
• Discuss potential strategies that may be implemented to assist women in avoiding the risks associated with unprotected sexual intercourse.

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

Not Answered