The effectiveness of contraceptive programs for teenagers

A reduction in the number of unwanted pregnancies among female army draftees through a controlled intervention

OBJECTIVE

To assess the possibility of reducing the risk of unwanted pregnancy through a controlled intervention program that was based on a sex education workshop.

DESIGN

Educational intervention study.

SETTING

Newly drafted women in a central absorption army base in Israel.

PATIENT(S)

One thousand seven hundred ninety-three female draftees in the Israeli Defence Force.

INTERVENTION(S)

A 2-day workshop on sex education at the beginning of army service.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE(S)

Rate of unwanted pregnancy.

RESULT(S)

After 2 years of follow-up, there were approximately 40% fewer unwanted pregnancies among women with a lower socioeconomic and intellectual profile.

CONCLUSION(S)

Structured intervention programs may reduce significantly the rate of unwanted pregnancy in young women.

The pill: perceptions and usage among Nigerian students

The knowledge and use of oral contraception were investigated in 498 students from 5 tertiary institutions in south-eastern Nigeria. Awareness of the pill was high (92.2%) but usage was comparatively low (17.5%). Post-coital oral contraception was more often used (11.5%) than the other types. Perceptions about the risks of the pill were variable: 46.4% of the students believed that it could damage the uterus, and 41% said it could cause infertility; 31.7% believed that it caused amenorrhea, while only 14.9% of the students admitted ignorance of the risks of the pill. There was a lack of desire to use the pill in 72.3% of the respondents. Only 18.7% desired to do so, including students already using the pill. The most common source of information on contraception was peer groups (43.6%), while lectures and sex instructions constituted the least common source (11.2%). Poor information on the pill and ignorance were identified as the major factors militating against pill usage. Accordingly, the role of early and adequate sex and contraceptive education in improving pill usage in this population and developing countries in general is highlighted.

Rehearsing decisions may help teenagers: an evaluation of a simulation game

This paper presents a new approach to preventing adolescent pregnancy. Information alone is not sufficient to prevent teenage pregnancy. The teenagers ability to choose and remain committed to a decision also needs to be developed. Because decision making skills are best learned through practice in an environment with frequent feedback, we have developed a computer game which simulates the consequences of different sexual roles. In addition, the game is intended to increase communication about sex between teenagers and their role models (peers, teachers and/or parents). Increased communication is expected to reduce the feeling of guilt and lead to either consistent abstention from sex or consistent contraceptive use. The paper reports on the development of the computer game and the preliminary evaluation of its impact.

Urban black adolescents who obtain contraceptive services before or after their first pregnancy. Psychosocial factors and contraceptive use

This paper compares three groups of urban black teenagers at their enrollment in a contraceptive program and at a one-year follow-up. The groups comprise 263 never-pregnant, postabortion, and postpartum teens ages less than or equal to 17 years at their initial family planning visit. Self-report questionnaires examined attitudes and information about pregnancy and contraceptive use, sources of contraceptive information, sexual and contraceptive experience, family and partner support for contraceptive use, and demographic background factors. Emotional, personality, and psychosocial factors were assessed with standard measures. Age, partner relationships, and items relating to the mother's communication about contraception and pregnancy were significant variables in the outcome of never-pregnant and delivery of pregnancy. Self-esteem was highest in the never-pregnant group. Personality factors, emotional distress, and social adjustment scores were in the normal ranges and did not differ between the groups. Contraceptive use at follow-up was most consistent in the never-pregnant group. These data suggest the need for earlier family involvement in educating and guiding teens together with access to contraceptive services in preventing unwanted adolescent pregnancies.