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pubmed:otherAbstract |
PIP: In order to better understand the phenomenon of adolescent pregnancy, a questionnaire dealing with sexuality was administered to 50 adolescent females and 50 adolescent males, all attending a low-income health clinic. 96% of the males and 78% of the females were sexually active. Despite their knowledge of and the availability of free contraception at the clinic, contraceptive practice was low among the group polled. General lack of concern regarding the possibility of pregnancy is probably the reason for this low level of contraceptive practice. Only 20% of the females and 16% of the males favored abortion of an unwanted pregnancy, preferring to have the female bear and keep the child. It was felt by the pollsters that the IUD is the most appropriate method of birth control for adolescents having frequent sex, since those taking oral contraceptives do not always take them as prescribed. Most males did not object to using condoms. The use of condoms could be increased by better information programs regarding venereal disease. Sex education programs in school were recommended as the most effective method for reducing unwanted adolescent pregnancies.
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