title: Lifetime prevalence of sexual intercourse and contraception use at last sex among adolescents and young adults with congenital heart disease.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Because of the increased risks associated with unplanned pregnancy for males and females with congenital heart disease (CHD), we investigated sexual intercourse and contraception use in these adolescents and young adults (AYA) and compared the same with national and state population data.
  
  
  METHODS
  We recruited 337 AYA with structural CHD aged 15-25 years (Mage = 19 years, standard deviation = 3.1; 53% male, 84% white) from an outpatient cardiology clinic to participate in a larger study assessing genetic knowledge and health behaviors. Cumulative lifetime prevalence of adolescent (aged 15-18 years) sexual intercourse was compared with the 2011 Youth Risk Behavior Surveillance System and the 2007 Ohio Youth Risk Behavior Survey. Cumulative lifetime prevalence of young adult (aged 19-25 years) sexual intercourse and contraception use at last sex were compared with the 2006-2008 National Survey of Family Growth.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Reported rates of ever having sexual intercourse, 26% of adolescents and 74% of young adults with CHD, were significantly lower than general population rates (47% and 86% respectively; p < .001). Similar to the general population, 77% of previously sexually active young adults with CHD reported using at least one effective method of contraception at last intercourse, whereas 25% used dual effective methods and 23% used no effective method.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Lower rates of ever having sexual intercourse in this population suggest that the psychosexual development of AYA with CHD may lag behind their peers. As nearly one in four participants reported using no effective method of contraception, health care providers should increase discussions of contraception with males and females with CHD.
authors: Center for Cardiovascular and Pulmonary Research, The Research Institute, Nationwide Children's Hospital, Columbus, Ohio.
authors: Kevin M
authors: KM
authors: Fry
authors: Center for Biobehavioral Health, The Research Institute, Nationwide Children's Hospital, Columbus, Ohio; Department of Pediatrics, College of Medicine, The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio.
authors: Cynthia A
authors: CA
authors: Gerhardt
authors: College of Medicine, The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio.
authors: Jerry
authors: J
authors: Ash
authors: Department of Pediatrics, College of Medicine, The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio; The Heart Center, Nationwide Children's Hospital, Columbus, Ohio.
authors: Ali N
authors: AN
authors: Zaidi
authors: Center for Cardiovascular and Pulmonary Research, The Research Institute, Nationwide Children's Hospital, Columbus, Ohio; Department of Pediatrics, College of Medicine, The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio; The Heart Center, Nationwide Children's Hospital, Columbus, Ohio.
authors: Vidu
authors: V
authors: Garg
authors: Center for Cardiovascular and Pulmonary Research, The Research Institute, Nationwide Children's Hospital, Columbus, Ohio; Department of Pediatrics, College of Medicine, The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio.
authors: Kim L
authors: KL
authors: McBride
authors: Center for Cardiovascular and Pulmonary Research, The Research Institute, Nationwide Children's Hospital, Columbus, Ohio; Department of Pediatrics, College of Medicine, The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio. Electronic address: sara.fitzgerald-butt@nationwidechildrens.org.
authors: Sara M
authors: SM
authors: Fitzgerald-Butt
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D003075:Coitus; D003267:Contraception / Q000523:psychology / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D005260:Female; D006330:Heart Defects, Congenital / Q000523:psychology*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009820:Ohio / Q000453:epidemiology; D015995:Prevalence; D018570:Risk Assessment; D012737:Sex Factors; D012725:Sexual Behavior / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: Adolescents; Congenital heart disease; Contraception; Pregnancy; Psychosexual development; Sexual behavior; Young adults