Evaluation of a pregnancy prevention programme using the Contraceptive Behavior Change model

This paper is a report of the findings of a study to examine the effects of application of the Contraceptive Behavior Change model on knowledge, attitudes, perceived benefits and barriers, self-efficacy (SE), stages of change (SOC) and contraceptive behaviours.

Unintended pregnancy is a global issue; it is also a concern for the military, as it impacts on mission readiness. Effective sexuality education programmes are needed but, to date, an evaluation of existing programmes using a conceptual model is lacking in the health literature.

A sample of 198 single, junior enlisted females was randomly recruited from United States of America Navy ships. An experimental design was adopted. The experimental group received two class sessions, 2 months apart, while the control group received none. The variables measured were: knowledge, attitudes, perceived benefits and barriers, SE, SOC and contraceptive behaviours. Data were collected on three separate occasions at 2-month intervals over a 4-month period in 2004-2005.

Initially, a striking lack of knowledge was evident among study participants. The experimental groups' knowledge increased statistically significantly with repeated interventions, while the control group's knowledge did not change over the same period. Both groups started with no pregnancies, and at the end of the study, the pregnancy rate between the two groups was statistically significant: experimental group 0%, and control group 14%.

The intervention led to increased knowledge, which in turn led to avoidance of pregnancy. The proposed model was appropriate for the evaluation and consequently can be considered as an effective tool to use for development or refinement of existing programmes.