This paper draws on findings from an analysis of interviews with young people aged 14-18 years, to explore the peer influences in young people's informal social networks which can affect their access to sexual health services. The research focuses on the social meanings of a C-Card condom distribution scheme in North East England. Such schemes are…

Grounded theory principles were systematically employed to reveal key differences in pregnancy risk and underlying disparities in contraceptive use in (a) never-pregnant (b) pregnant-terminated and (c) pregnant-continued teenagers. Analysis of 69 semistructured interviews revealed a bicausal model of pregnancy protection that accounted for…

Examined motivations for condom use by adolescent males (n=1,880). About one-third reported using condoms consistently. Found greater consistency of condom use related to perceived costs benefits concerning pregnancy prevention, Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome, partner expectations, embarrassment, and reduction of pleasure. (Author/ABL)

To determine what factors contribute to possible pregnancy and birth control usage among a sample of college women, a survey questionnaire was distributed to students who requested pregnancy tests at a university health center. Answers from 140 respondents are reported and analyzed and their implications are discussed. (JL)

Identified variables related to contraception that could be addressed during contraceptive counseling and to aid persons in deciding the most effective contraceptive method within context of an intimate relationship. Used questionnaire responses from 350 college students. Results indicated both general self-esteem and sexual self-esteem were…

Presents a test of the Fishbein model of behavior prediction applied to predict the pregnancy risk-taking behavior of adolescent females (N=244). Analyses of data showed that the Fishbein model of attitude-behavior consistency seems to be applicable to the fertility-related behavior of adolescent females. (LLL)

Analysis indicates qualities of the interpersonal relationship of the adolescent dyad are consistently associated with exposure to pregnancy risk. Certain qualities have a counterbalancing influence on pregnancy risk in that they are positively related to the frequency of sexual intercourse while being positively related to regularity of effective…

This paper is a progress report on a large-scale five-year longitudinal predictive study of contraceptive success and failure, begun in November, 1973. Subjects were a randomly selected goup of 646 patients at a Planned Parenthood Clinic. An interview and several brief questionnaires were administered to each subject. A sub-group was selected…

Effective birth control is needed to combat adolescent pregnancy which is a major health and social problem, the adverse consequences of which have been well-documented along a variety of dimensions. A significant obstacle to the provision of birth control services to teenagers is the belief that such services will encourage adolescent coital…

Studied the relationship between premarital sexual guilt and contraceptive attitudes and behavior among young single women. High-guilt subjects were significantly more embarrassed about coming to the birth control clinics and were more likely to believe that it was difficult to obtain birth control. (Author)

Many heterosexuals have not altered their sexual practices in response to the threat of Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS). Knowledge of risk alone appears to have little effect on altering sexual behavior; more complex psychological factors seem to be involved. Condom use to prevent the spread of Human Immunodeficiency Virus is a unique…

Although family planning clinics receiving some form of federal support constitute the major source of birth control for teenagers, they are not reaching large numbers of sexually active teens nor are they reaching them soon enough--especially those who are 14 and younger. In many cases they also fail to promote effective contraceptive use among…

This paper presents some data on the relationship between the psychological maturity of adolescent women and their sexual behavior and contraceptive use. The information was collected under the coordination of the American Public Health Association in the Spring of 1975 from 269 16-, 17-, and 18-year old females. The relationship between status,…

Previous research has suggested a high level of sexual activity among students, often involving unprotected intercourse. To better understand what factors contribute to consistent use of effective contraception, the relationship between sexual knowledge and sexual behavior and the relationship of sex guilt to sex knowledge were investigated in a…

This report analyzes trends in childbearing among Kentucky's adolescents from 1970 through 1977 and reviews childbearing patterns in Kentucky and in the United States for adolescents aged 10-14 and 15-19 to identify several factors associated with adolescent pregnancy. The fact that adolescent women are reaching biological maturity at an earlier…