Predictors of sexual intercourse and rapid-repeat pregnancy among teenage mothers: an Australian prospective longitudinal study.
OBJECTIVE
To examine the determinants of pregnancy within 2 years of a teenager giving birth for the first time (rapid-repeat pregnancy [RRP]) and resumption of sexual intercourse after the birth.


METHODS
Prospective cohort study between June 2004 and September 2006 at the sole tertiary obstetric hospital in Western Australia involving teenagers who gave birth for the first time. Data were collected using questionnaires at recruitment, 6 weeks and 3-monthly intervals for up to 2 years postpartum.


METHODS
RRP and time to a return to sexual intercourse after giving birth.


RESULTS
Of the 147 participants, 49 (33%) experienced an RRP. Sexual intercourse was independently significantly associated with using an oral contraceptive (odds ratio [OR], 2.83; 95% CI, 1.38-5.82); living with the birth father (OR, 8.43; 95% CI, 5.12-13.86); intending to become pregnant (OR, 3.20; 95% CI, 1.53-6.65); smoking marijuana (OR, 2.60; 95% CI, 1.38-4.79); and using alcohol (OR, 1.93; 95% CI, 1.17-3.20). Use of long-acting contraceptives was associated with reduced odds of RRP (OR, 0.27; 95% CI, 0.12-0.62), while teenagers who used an oral contraceptive had a similar risk of RRP compared with those using barrier methods or no contraception. Other factors predicting RRP were: being sexually active for more than 3 months (OR, 8.96; 95% CI, 1.97-40.74); intending to become pregnant (OR, 2.39; 95% CI, 1.62-4.93); and being an Indigenous Australian (OR, 2.38; 95% CI, 1.38-4.11).


CONCLUSIONS
There are two options available to health care providers for reducing the rate of RRP: to facilitate teenage mothers' access to long-acting contraceptives; and to gain clear understanding of their intention with regard to repeat pregnancy and to provide appropriate support.
Lewis
Lucy N
LN
University of Western Australia, Perth, WA, Australia. llewis@meddent.uwa.edu.au
Doherty
Dorota A
DA
Hickey
Martha
M
Skinner
S Rachel
SR
D000293:Adolescent; D001315:Australia; D002648:Child; D003075:Coitus; D003268:Contraception Behavior; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D016015:Logistic Models; D016017:Odds Ratio; D011247:Pregnancy; D011253:Pregnancy in Adolescence / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000523:psychology / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012307:Risk Factors