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Contraceptive failure rates based on the 1988 NSFG
1Alan Guttmacher Institute.
Family Planning Perspectives
|January 1, 1992
Summary
Contraceptive failure in the U.S. leads to unintended pregnancies, with methods like the pill and condom showing lower failure rates than periodic abstinence. User factors significantly influence contraceptive effectiveness.
Area of Science:
- Reproductive Health
- Public Health
- Demography
Background:
- Contraceptive failure is a significant contributor to unintended pregnancies in the United States.
- Previous analyses have not fully accounted for underreported abortion data.
Purpose of the Study:
- To analyze contraceptive failure rates during the first year of use.
- To identify factors influencing contraceptive method failure.
Main Methods:
- Utilized data from the 1988 National Survey of Family Growth.
- Corrected data for underreporting of abortion to improve accuracy.
Main Results:
- The pill (8% failure) and condom (15% failure) were the most effective reversible methods.
- Periodic abstinence (26%) and spermicides (25%) had higher failure rates.
- User characteristics (age, marital status, poverty) were stronger predictors of failure than method type.
Conclusions:
- Contraceptive failure remains a substantial issue, driving unintended pregnancies.
- Improper or irregular use, influenced by user characteristics, is a key factor in method failure.
- Public health strategies should address user-specific challenges to improve contraceptive effectiveness.
Keywords:
AmericasComparative StudiesContraceptionContraception FailureContraceptive EffectivenessContraceptive UsageData AnalysisDemographic FactorsDeveloped CountriesEconomic FactorsError SourcesFamily And HouseholdFamily Life SurveysFamily PlanningFamily ResearchFertilityMeasurementNorth AmericaNorthern AmericaPopulationPopulation At RiskPopulation DynamicsPovertyPregnancy, UnplannedReproductive BehaviorResearch MethodologySocioeconomic FactorsStudiesUndercountUnited StatesUse-effectiveness