Ethnic variation in adolescent use of a contraceptive service

This paper compares black, Hispanic, and white teenagers' experiences with a contraception service in New York City. Data were obtained from 3858 patients who made nearly 12,000 visits to the program during its first 3 years of operation. Patients' reasons for using the contraception facility, their visit patterns, clinic continuation rates, methods accepted, patterns of method utilization, as well as their pregnancy rates and intentions for pregnancy resolution are examined. Black patients had more clinic visits than white and Hispanic patients, and their duration of program contact was the longest. Several method preference differences existed among the three ethnic groups. Pregnancy rates while the patients were in contact with the program were highest among blacks, followed by Hispanics and then whites. Service delivery directions suggested by these findings are discussed.