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APHA Scientific Session and Event Listing

Elizabeth Needham Waddell, PhD¹, Nyanda Labor, MPH¹, Dimitra Assimoglou, BA¹, Gretchen Van Wye, PhD², Marjorie McMeniman, PhD, MS¹, and Deborah Kaplan, PA, MPH¹. (1) Bureau of Maternal, Infant and Reproductive Health, NYC Deptartment of Health and Mental Hygiene, 2 Lafayette St, 18th Fl, New York, NY 10007, 212-442-1810, ewaddell@health.nyc.gov, (2) Bureau of Epidemiology Services, NYC Deptartment of Health and Mental Hygiene, 125 Worth Street, New York, NY 10013

Research on adolescent use of emergency contraception (EC) indicates that girls are more likely to use EC if they perceive themselves to be at risk of unintended pregnancy and feel confident asking their provider for EC (Free and Ogden 2005). Knowledge of EC is a prerequisite to its timely use in the event of contraceptive failure or unprotected sex. Among women 18-44 in the United States, approximately 70% are aware that there is something a woman can do to prevent pregnancy in the few days after unprotected sex (Chandra, Martinez et al. 2005). However, only about half of females enrolled in NYC public high schools report knowledge of EC, and even fewer males indicate awareness of EC. This study investigates prevalence of EC knowledge among New York City public high school students, both males and females, using data from the 2005 NYC Youth Risk Behavior Survey (NYC YRBS). In addition to disparities by grade, race/ethnicity and neighborhood, this project examines variation in EC knowledge by sexual experience and use of other contraception, as well as risk behaviors including multiple sex partners, early initiation of sexual behavior, substance use, and intimate partner violence. Preliminary analyses show significant differences in EC knowledge by sexual experience, gender, grade, race/ethnicity, and neighborhood. Additional multivariate analyses conducted using SUDAAN 9.1 will identify the most significant predictors of EC awareness among New York City public high school students.

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

1)Identify factors related to knowledge of emergency contraception among urban public high school students.
• Recognize factors associated with disparities in knowledge of and access to emergency contraception among urban public high school students.

Keywords: Adolescents, Contraception

Related Web page: www.nyc.gov/html/doh/html/episrv/episrv-youthriskbehavior.shtml

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

Not Answered