Sex education and contraceptive use at coital debut in the United States: results from Cycle 6 of the National Survey of Family Growth.
BACKGROUND
The study was conducted to characterize the relationship between formal sex education and the use and type of contraceptive method used at coital debut among female adolescents.


METHODS
This study employed a cross-sectional, nationally representative database (2002 National Survey of Family Growth). Contraceptive use and type used were compared among sex education groups [abstinence only (AO), birth control methods only (MO) and comprehensive (AM)]. Analyses also evaluated the association between demographic, socioeconomic, behavioral variables and sex education. Multiple logistic regression with adjustment for sampling design was used to measure associations of interest.


RESULTS
Of 1150 adolescent females aged 15-19 years, 91% reported formal sex education (AO 20.4%, MO 4.9%, AM 65.1%). The overall use of contraception at coitarche did not differ between groups. Compared to the AO and AM groups, the proportion who used a reliable method in the MO group (37%) was significantly higher (p=.03) (vs. 15.8% and 14.8%, respectively).


CONCLUSIONS
Data from the 2002 NSFG do not support an association between type of formal sex education and contraceptive use at coitarche but do support an association between abstinence-only messaging and decreased reliable contraceptive method use at coitarche.
Isley
Michelle M
MM
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH 43210, USA. michelle.isley@osumc.edu
Edelman
Alison
A
Kaneshiro
Bliss
B
Peters
Dawn
D
Nichols
Mark D
MD
Jensen
Jeffrey T
JT
D000293:Adolescent; D003268:Contraception Behavior / Q000523:psychology / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D003271:Contraceptive Agents, Female / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007407:Interviews as Topic; D016015:Logistic Models; D015999:Multivariate Analysis; D012736:Sex Education / Q000379:methods / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D012725:Sexual Behavior / Q000523:psychology / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D014481:United States; D055815:Young Adult
D003271:Contraceptive Agents, Female