141st APHA Annual Meeting

In This section

282979
Prevalence and predictors of dual method contraception use among college women

Tuesday, November 5, 2013 : 5:15 PM - 5:30 PM

Jennifer Walsh, PhD , Centers for Behavioral and Preventive Medicine, The Miriam Hospital, Providence, RI
Robyn Fielder, MA , Center for Health and Behavior, Syracuse University, Syracuse, NY
Kate Carey, PhD , Department of Behavioral and Social Sciences & Center for Alcohol and Addiction Studies, Brown University, Providence, RI
Michael Carey, PhD , Centers for Behavioral and Preventive Medicine, The Miriam Hospital, PROVIDENCE, RI
Dual method contraception use (using one form of contraceptive intended to reduce the risk of sexually transmitted infections [STIs] and another intended to prevent pregnancy) may be the most effective way to prevent both STIs and unintended pregnancy. No prior studies have taken an event-level (diary) approach to examining predictors of dual method use. We examined the prevalence of and predictors of dual method contraception use among first-year college women. Monthly data collection over one year resulted in 1843 most-recent sexual intercourse events from 296 women (Mage=18, 71% White). Women reported on their use of condoms and other reliable contraceptive methods (hormonal contraception and IUDs) during these events. Women reported use of reliable non-condom contraceptive methods in 53% of events and use of condoms in 64% of events. Of events involving alternative contraceptive use (N=977), condoms were used in 53% (28% of all events). A multi-level model showed that use of condoms in addition to other methods was more common in casual sex events involving friends (Β=1.55, p<.01) and for women who were more religious (Β=.84, p<.05), who smoked pot (Β=.16, p<.05), and who had a previous STI diagnosis (Β=2.59, p<.01). Dual use was less common for women with more previous sexual partners (Β=-.37, p<.01) and those high in impulsivity (Β=-.94, p<.05). A variety of factors relate to the use of condoms to supplement hormonal contraception, which occurs in only a quarter of events reported by college women. Understanding characteristics predicting dual method use may help in intervention design.

Learning Areas:
Social and behavioral sciences

Learning Objectives:
Identify the prevalence of dual method contraceptive use among first-year college women. Describe predictors of dual method contraceptive use at both the person- and event-level.

Keywords: Contraceptives, College Students

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

Qualified on the content I am responsible for because: I have received a Ph.D. in Developmental Psychology and have authored multiple papers related to sexual health and risk. My scientific interests include HIV prevention and intervention, sexual socialization, and advanced statistical methods.
Any relevant financial relationships? No

I agree to comply with the American Public Health Association Conflict of Interest and Commercial Support Guidelines, and to disclose to the participants any off-label or experimental uses of a commercial product or service discussed in my presentation.