Back to Annual Meeting

Back to Annual Meeting

APHA Scientific Session and Event Listing

Shelly R. Koenemann, MPH, Marlena Kuruvilla, MPH/MSW, Claire Brindis, DrPH, and Michelle Barenbaum, MPH. Bixby Center for Reproductive Health Research and Policy, University of California, San Francisco, 3333 California Street, Suite 265, San Francisco, CA 94143, (415) 476-0720, shelly.koenemann@ucsf.edu

Studies show that the recent decline in adolescent pregnancy rates is attributed, in large part, to an increase in contraceptive use. Although motivation to use contraception is likely determined by socioeconomic and cultural factors, a more comprehensive understanding of how these influences play out across ethnic groups is critical to promote effective and consistent contraceptive use among youth.

The baseline results of California's Teen Pregnancy Prevention program evaluation provide the opportunity to assess contraceptive motivation and behaviors among youth, as well as the role ethnicity may play. In a sample of 2,168 sexually active youth, Latinos reported stronger reasons than other ethnic groups for not using condoms, with the top reason being monogamy (38%). Latinos were significantly less likely than others to report using reliable contraception at last sex (64% vs. 72%), and using contraception every time they had sex in the last month (35% vs. 50%). African Americans were significantly more likely than other ethnic groups to rank self-respect and concern about STI's/HIV as their reasons for using contraception. African Americans were also significantly more likely than others to report using a reliable method at last sex (76% vs. 65%), and using protection every time they had sex in the last month (52% vs. 39%).

A greater awareness of how contraceptive motivation and behaviors differ across ethnic groups can allow program staff to tailor their prevention efforts to be more culturally appropriate and, therefore, more effective in serving their youth.

Learning Objectives: