Teenage pregnancy and associated risk behaviors among sexually abused adolescents.
BACKGROUND
Previous research suggests a link between adolescent pregnancy and sexual abuse history, but most studies have used clinical samples of females only and single measures of abuse.


METHODS
Associations between pregnancy involvement, risk behaviors and sexual abuse were examined in sexually experienced teenagers from the Minnesota Student Surveys of 1992 (N=29,187) and 1998 (N=25,002). Chi-square tests assessed differences in pregnancy involvement and related risk behaviors among four groups of adolescents, categorized by type of abuse experienced: none, incest only, nonfamilial only or both. Odds ratios for pregnancy involvement and risk behaviors, adjusted for grade level and race, were calculated for each gender by using logistic regression analysis.


RESULTS
Sexual abuse was reported by 6% of males and 27% of females in 1992, and by 9% and 22% in 1998. Reports of pregnancy involvement were significantly more common among abused adolescents (13-26% of females and 22-61% of males, depending on type of abuse) than among nonabused adolescents (8-10%). Abused adolescents were more likely than others to report risk behaviors, and teenagers reporting both abuse types had the highest odds of pregnancy involvement and risk behaviors. The differential in the odds of pregnancy involvement and most behaviors was larger between nonabused and abused males than between nonabused and abused females.


CONCLUSIONS
Teenage pregnancy risk is strongly linked to sexual abuse, especially for males and those who have experienced both incest and nonfamilial abuse. To further reduce the U.S. teenage pregnancy rate, the pregnancy prevention needs of these groups must be adequately addressed.
Center for Adolescent Nursing, University of Minnesota School of Nursing, Minneapolis, USA. saewyc@umn.edu
Elizabeth M
EM
Saewyc
Lara Leanne
LL
Magee
Sandra E
SE
Pettingell
D000293:Adolescent; D000294:Adolescent Behavior / Q000523:psychology; D016009:Chi-Square Distribution; D003075:Coitus / Q000523:psychology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008910:Minnesota / Q000453:epidemiology; D016017:Odds Ratio; D011247:Pregnancy; D011253:Pregnancy in Adolescence / Q000523:psychology / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D012307:Risk Factors; D012309:Risk-Taking; D012742:Sex Offenses / Q000523:psychology / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D013334:Students / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires