Comparison of younger and older adolescent females attending birth control clinics

Sexual and contraceptive attitudes and practices were assessed for 486 single females aged 13-20, attending ten birth control centres in Ontario. At last intercourse, 28% were not using any contraception and only 33% reported they had used contraceptives all of the time. Younger adolescents were less likely than older ones to have used effective methods of contraception or to have used contraceptive methods effectively. Younger adolescents expressed greater embarrassment about obtaining oral contraceptives, particularly from the family physician, and were more likely to perceive oral contraceptives as being difficult to obtain.