Publication Type: Conference Paper/Unpublished Manuscript
Review Method: Peer Reviewed
Abstract: Previous research has found a link between personal control, self-efficacy and contraceptive behavior among adolescents. Young people who believe in the efficacy of their own actions may be more likely to take measures to avoid unwanted pregnancy and sexually transmitted diseases. However, because of the gendered nature of sexual relationships and the higher cost of pregnancy to females, the effect of personal control on birth control use may differ for young men and women. As males may generally experience more control in sexual situations as well as feel the ability to make demands and express wishes, a sense of personal control or sexual self-efficacy may not always be necessary for them to take an active role in determining contraceptive risk. Young women, however, may not feel entitled to assert power within a sexual situation or to initiate discussions of safer sex, and a sense of self-efficacy may allow them to negotiate more effectively. This study employs data from the National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent Health (Add Health) to examine (1) whether personal control and sexual self-efficacy are associated with contraceptive risk among adolescents (engaging in sexual intercourse or not using contraception); and (2) whether these relationships differ for young men and women. Results indicate that personal control and sexual self-efficacy are significantly related to safer sex behavior. In addition, personal control and sexual self-efficacy appear more important for young women than for young men in predicting contraceptive risk.

Publication Type: Conference Paper/Unpublished Manuscript
Review Method: Peer Reviewed
Abstract: This paper attempts to examine the extent of influence of the three components of fertility, age at marriage, extent of modern contraceptive use and the level of abortion on fertility in the Republic of Yemen and to explore the impact of a selected set of demographic and socioeconomic variables on the three fertility components. This study uses data from Demographic and Health Surveys (DHS) conducted in Yemen in 1991/1992 and 1997. The results from this study present empirical evidence of an onset of fertility decline in the Republic of Yemen. An important component of this decline is delayed age at marriage. There has been an increase in modem contraceptive use during the last decade. However, these methods are not widely used at early stages of family formation. The most common method of family limitation among women with large families is abortion. There has been very little change if any in the widespread occurrence of abortion during the last decade. There exist significant urban-rural differences in the levels of contraceptive use and abortion. Improvements in women's education and modem sector labor participation are crucial for increasing age at marriage, and level of contraceptive use and for reducing the prevailing level of abortion.

Publication Type: Conference Paper/Unpublished Manuscript
Review Method: Peer Reviewed
Abstract: This study applies Ajzen’s theory of planned behavior to the question of how receipt of family planning services influences young, U.S. women’s contraceptive behavior at first intercourse. Competing risk hazard models are estimated using data from the National Survey of Family Growth Cycle V. Findings show that receipt of family planning services at least one year before first intercourse increases the rate of contraceptive use at first sex. Receipt of family planning services does not affect the rate of having sex. Furthermore, these findings support the inclusion of both perceived and actual behavior control in behavioral models.

Publication Type: Conference Paper/Unpublished Manuscript
Review Method: Peer Reviewed
Abstract: This study investigates the effects of family structure, education, and religion on contraceptive use by 577 sexually active, never-married women aged 20-24 years. Women from the National Survey of Family Growth who had never been married and were not cohabitating, who were not intending to become pregnant or were not pregnant, postpartum, or infertile were included.
Results indicate that Hispanic origin is related to use of less effective methods of contraception by sexually active women. Conversely, family structure influences contraceptive decisions in that women raised by both parents from birth to age 14 are likely to use more effective methods of contraception. Additionally, any family structure that is unchanging has this effect implying it is the stability of the structure rather than of whom it consists that created the effect.
Current religious denomination also influences contraceptive decisions in that Mormons are less likely to use effective methods of contraceptives. However, this effect is based on a small number of Mormons in the sample whose behavior is markedly different from the mean of the sample.
Education variables, including the education of the mother and the respondent, appear to have little effect on the contraceptive decisions of this selective sample.

Publication Type: Conference Paper/Unpublished Manuscript
Review Method: Peer Reviewed
Abstract: Unintended pregnancy rates are high among teens and young adults, in part because of contraceptive inconsistency and nonuse. This paper examines recent first sexual relationships among females and young adults in the NSFG and tests whether characteristics of their relationships, the partners they choose, and their choice of contraceptive methods are associated with contraceptive use and consistency

Using logistic regression analyses, we found that Hispanics, those who were younger at first sex, those with older sexual partners or more religious partners, and those who cohabited with their partners had reduced odds of contraceptive use and/or consistency. In contrast, having discussions with parents about reproductive health and receiving multiple types of sex education were associated with greater contraceptive use and consistency. Longer relationships were associated with greater odds of ever using contraception but lower odds of always using a method. Perceived seriousness of first sexual relationship was only marginally associated ever using contraception and not associated with consistent use.

Method choice was also associated with contraceptive consistency. Females using hormonal methods in their first relationships were more likely than those using condoms to contracept consistently. Also, those who switched to more effective methods over the course of their sexual relationship had greater consistency, while those who switched to less effective methods had reduced consistency compared to those who used the same method throughout their first relationship.

The findings highlight the importance of paying attention to the partners and relationships that teens are engaged in to improve contraceptive use and avoid unintended pregnancy.