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What about the boys? Examining the characteristics of male teens who report ever getting a female pregnant
Actions to prevent teen pregnancy typically focus on adolescent females. Teenage males should also be actively engaged in prevention efforts.
Methods
National Survey of Family Growth 2006-2010 data were used to describe sexually-experienced male teens age 15-19 that report ever getting a female pregnant. The association between receipt of formal sex education and parent communication about sex with sexual risk behaviors was evaluated. Differences in percentages were assessed using chi-square tests.
Results
Nearly half (46%) of male teens age 15-19 have ever had sex (N=1090); one in six sexually-experienced teen males (17%) report ever getting a female pregnant. This proportion varied by race/ethnicity; 24% of non-Hispanic black and 23% of Hispanic male teens report ever causing a pregnancy as compared to 11% of non-Hispanic whites. Compared to sexually-experienced males who never reported getting a female pregnant, those who did were more likely to initiate sex at age < 15 (60% vs. 28%) and report no contraceptive use at first (30% vs. 11%) or last sex (23% vs 3%). Those who reported no formal sex education were more likely to initiate sex at age < 15 (57.4% vs. 29% among those who report receipt). Those who reported no parent communication about sex were more likely to not use contraception at last sex (11.1% vs. 2.2% among those who report receipt).
Conclusions
A noteworthy proportion of sexually-experienced teen males report ever getting a female pregnant. Evidence-based approaches to delay initiation of sex and provide contraceptive services are needed for young males.
Learning Areas:
EpidemiologyPlanning of health education strategies, interventions, and programs
Public health or related research
Learning Objectives:
Describe the characteristics of male adolescents who report ever getting a female pregnant
Keyword(s): Men’s Health, Teen Pregnancy
Qualified on the content I am responsible for because: I am a health scientist with the Division of Reproductive Health at the Centers for Disease Control for the past 7 years. I have published extensively on a wide range of topics, including adolescent health, preconception care and health care services research. I have also served as a subject matter expert in the administration of a collaborative initiative to implement and test community-wide, multi-component approaches to preventing teen pregnancies.
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.