title: The roles of partner communication and relationship status in adolescent contraceptive use.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Because of high rates of pregnancy and sexually transmitted infections among adolescents, factors influencing adolescents' contraceptive use require close examination. This study explores how different types of partner communication relate to contraceptive use among adolescent girls and whether these associations vary by relationship status.
  
  
  METHODS
  Cross-sectional, self-report data from 253 sexually active 13- to 17-year-old girls were used to examine associations between partner communication, relationship status, and contraceptive consistency.
  
  
  RESULTS
  In a multivariate analysis, partner communication specific to contraceptive use (RR = 1.3, p < .001) and "steady" partnership status (RR = 0.65, p < .01) were associated with hormonal contraceptive consistency. In interaction models, the impact of partner communication on hormonal consistency was greater in steady partnerships than in casual partnerships.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Findings suggest that clinicians should ask about the nature of adolescent girls' relationships with their sexual partners when encouraging contraceptive use. Early communication with partners about sexual topics should be stressed, especially among girls in steady relationships.
authors.forename: Abigail Z
authors.initials: AZ
authors.lastname: Johnson
authors.forename: Renee E
authors.initials: RE
authors.lastname: Sieving
authors.forename: Sandra L
authors.initials: SL
authors.lastname: Pettingell
authors.forename: Annie-Laurie
authors.initials: AL
authors.lastname: McRee
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D003142:Communication; D017280:Condoms / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D003267:Contraception / Q000523:psychology* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D003268:Contraception Behavior / Q000523:psychology; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007398:Interpersonal Relations; D008297:Male; D012747:Sexual Partners / Q000523:psychology*
keywords: Contraceptive consistency; adolescent behavior; adolescents; partner sexual communication