ARE ADOLESCENTS WHO REPORT PRIOR SEXUAL ABUSE AT HIGHER RISK FOR PREGNANCY

Adolescents who report prior sexual abuse are at increased risk for ad olescent pregnancy. This may result from earlier, more frequent, less well-protected sexual activity or from a greater desire to conceive. T o determine the relative contribution of these two possible explanatio ns to the reported association between sexual abuse and adolescent pre gnancy, we studied the reproductive and sexual histories of 200 sexual ly active 13-18 year old females in relation to self-reported sexual a buse. Anonymous questionnaires revealed that 40 (20%) of the 200 subje cts reported sexual abuse. Analyses revealed no group differences in t he median age of first voluntary intercourse, the frequency of sexual intercourse, or the consistency of birth control use. Compared to thei r nonabused peers, however, teenagers reporting abuse were more likely to be trying to conceive (35% vs. 14% p < .01), to have boyfriends pr essuring them to conceive (76% vs. 44% p < .01), and to have fears abo ut infertility (38% vs. 16% p < .01). Our findings suggest that childh ood sexual abuse may increase the risk of adolescent pregnancy by fost ering the desire to conceive. Further study is needed to determine why a disproportionate number of sexually abused adolescents desire pregn ancy. The efficacy of adolescent pregnancy prevention programs may be improved by identifying previously abused adolescents and by designing educational interventions that specifically address their desire to c onceive.