Does pregnancy/paternity intention predict contraception use? A study among US soldiers who have completed initial entry training.
METHODS
The US Army represents a community of young adults at risk for unintended pregnancy/paternity. Our study evaluated the effect of pregnancy/paternity intention on contraceptive choice amongst new, sexually active and non-pregnant recruits. A total of 592 males and 503 females completed self-administered surveys asking about pregnancy/paternity intention, contraceptive use at last intercourse, and potential confounding factors. A multidimensional measurement of pregnancy intention was developed. Contraceptive efficacy was categorised as a four-level ordinal variable. Multivariate ordinal regression measured the association between pregnancy/paternity intention and the most efficacious birth control method used at last intercourse.


RESULTS
Only 7% of participants planned a pregnancy in the next 6 months, but almost 33% of them used no birth control at last intercourse. Each unit increase in pregnancy avoidance scale was associated with a 14% increase in efficacy of birth control method used (p<0.0001). Effectiveness of birth control method increased for age (p = 0.0873), post-secondary education (p = 0.0142) and male gender (p = 0.0019.). Binge drinking reduced the likelihood of being in a higher category of birth control use (p = 0.0258).


CONCLUSIONS
Intention to avoid pregnancy and being male was associated with use of higher-level birth control methods.
O'Rourke
Kathleen
K
Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, University of South Florida, Tampa, FL 33612, USA.
Richman
Alice
A
Roddy
Mary
M
Custer
Michael
M
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D003270:Contraceptive Agents; D003625:Data Collection; D005193:Family Planning Services; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008887:Military Medicine; D008889:Military Personnel; D009042:Motivation; D010334:Paternity; D011247:Pregnancy; D049168:Pregnancy, Unplanned; D012307:Risk Factors; D013997:Time Factors; D014481:United States
D003270:Contraceptive Agents