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Sex differences in barriers to contraceptive use among adolescents
J A Pesa1, L W Turner, J Mathews
1Indiana University-Purdue University, the Automotive Safety Program, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN, USA.
Objective:
To examine sex differences in barriers to contraceptive use by using a national sample of 4539 participants from The National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent Health.
Study Design:
The National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent Health used a study design in which data from Wave 1 were collected between 1994 and 1995. Participants older than 15 years or sexually active were queried regarding various real or potential barriers to contraceptive use.
Results:
Boys were significantly more likely than girls to believe that using birth control interferes with pleasure during intercourse, is difficult to obtain, is morally wrong, is expensive, is bothersome, involves too much planning, and makes people think they are seeking sex. Significant differences were observed between boys and girls on a summative barrier scale.
Conclusions:
Male adolescents held stronger views regarding barriers to contraceptive use. More effective and relevant programming can take place at the school and community levels to address these potential barriers on the basis of sex differences.