Susan L. Davies|Ralph J. DiClemente|Gina M. Wingood|Sharina D. Person|Emily S. Dix|Kathy Harrington|Richard A. Crosby|Kim Oh
Predictors of Inconsistent Contraceptive Use among Adolescent Girls: Findings from a Prospective Study
University of Alabama at Birmingham|Emory University|Emory University|University of Alabama at Birmingham|University of Alabama at Birmingham|University of Alabama at Birmingham|Emory University|University of Alabama at Birmingham
assess independent effects various behavioral psychosocial antecedents contraceptive use among sample lowincome africanamerican adolescent femalesstepwise logistic regression used calculate odds ratios baseline predictors inconsistent contraceptive use six months later study participants include 375 nonpregnant africanamerican girls aged 1418 years reported sexual activity previous six months data collected using selfadministered survey individual interview urine pregnancy testadolescents inconsistent contraceptive users followup likely reported desire pregnancy previous inconsistent contraceptive use less frequent communication partners prevention issues increased number lifetime sexual partners baseline assessment equal importance finding previous pregnancy sexually transmitted infection influence future contraceptive behaviorsclinicians play important role counseling adolescents sexual health dispelling misperceptions hinder consistent contraceptive use findings research could significant implications development effective sexually transmitted infection sti pregnancy prevention programs adolescents help guiding clinicians toward relevant treatment practices