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

Area of Science:

• Public Health
• Reproductive Health
• Behavioral Science

Background:

• Unintended pregnancy poses a global challenge and impacts military readiness.
• There is a need for effective sexuality education programs, yet evaluations using conceptual models are scarce.
• This study addresses the gap by evaluating a model for contraceptive behavior change.

Purpose of the Study:

• To examine the effects of the Contraceptive Behavior Change model on knowledge, attitudes, perceived benefits/barriers, self-efficacy (SE), stages of change (SOC), and contraceptive behaviors.
• To assess the model's applicability in improving contraceptive practices and reducing unintended pregnancies.
• To provide an evidence-based tool for developing or refining sexual education programs.

Main Methods:

• An experimental design was used with 198 single, junior enlisted females from US Navy ships.
• Participants were randomly assigned to an experimental group (two intervention sessions) or a control group (no intervention).
• Data on knowledge, attitudes, SE, SOC, and behaviors were collected at 2-month intervals over 4 months.

Main Results:

• The experimental group showed statistically significant increases in contraceptive knowledge after interventions, unlike the control group.
• A statistically significant difference in pregnancy rates was observed: 0% in the experimental group versus 14% in the control group.
• The intervention effectively improved contraceptive knowledge and behaviors, leading to pregnancy avoidance.

Conclusions:

• The Contraceptive Behavior Change model intervention successfully increased knowledge and led to a significant reduction in unintended pregnancies.
• The model proved appropriate for evaluating contraceptive behavior interventions.
• The model can be utilized as an effective tool for the development or refinement of sexual education programs.