Contraceptive choices in HIV infected and HIV at-risk adolescent females.
OBJECTIVE
To describe reported contraception use in HIV infected and HIV uninfected but at-risk female adolescents, and determine associations with the reported consistent use of effective contraception methods, including its association with pregnancy.


METHODS
HIV infected and at-risk female youth, aged 13-18 years, who were sexually active and reporting no intention to become pregnant, were included. Contraception use data from three consecutive visits (approximately 6 months apart) were used.


RESULTS
Ninety-four percent of HIV infected and 89% of at-risk subjects reported choosing a main contraception method with demonstrated efficacy when used consistently. Approximately 50% chose partner condoms. HIV infected youth were more likely to report 100% partner condom use in the past 3 months (73% vs. 46%; OR 3.3; 95% CI: 1.7-5.6). At-risk youth were 2.5 times more likely than HIV infected subjects to report using nothing (95% CI: 1.1-5.8). Slightly more than half (56%) demonstrated the consistent reporting of effective methods (CREM) of contraception. In multivariate analysis, HIV infection (OR 4.0; 95% CI: 2.2-8.2) and African-American race (OR 2.7; 95% CI: 1.1-6.6) were significantly associated with CREM. Subjects reporting inconsistent or unreliable contraception use had higher 1-year pregnancy rates than CREM subjects (32% vs. 14%; p = .002).


CONCLUSIONS
Only half of HIV infected and at-risk youth reported using effective contraception consistently, despite its availability. Additionally, regardless of reported contraceptive use, the rates of unplanned pregnancy were unacceptably high.
Belzer
M
M
Children's Hospital of Los Angeles, Division of Adolescent Medicine, Los Angeles, California 90054-0700, USA.
Rogers
A S
AS
Camarca
M
M
Fuchs
D
D
Peralta
L
L
Tucker
D
D
Durako
S J
SJ
D000293:Adolescent; D000294:Adolescent Behavior; D003270:Contraceptive Agents; D003657:Decision Making; D005260:Female; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000523:psychology*; D006306:Health Surveys; D006801:Humans; D011247:Pregnancy; D011253:Pregnancy in Adolescence; D012309:Risk-Taking; D012725:Sexual Behavior
D003270:Contraceptive Agents