CONTRACEPTIVE KNOWLEDGE, CONTRACEPTIVE USE, AND SELF-ESTEEM AMONG NAVY PERSONNEL

This study evaluated the sexual knowledge (including contraceptive and reproductive knowledge), contraceptive use, and self-esteem among a s ample of 158 male and female United States Navy sailors assigned to Na vy ships, In spite of the fact that men and women viewed themselves as relatively knowledgeable with respect to contraception, results showe d substantial knowledge deficits. Women demonstrated significantly gre ater sexual knowledge than men, and contraceptive/reproductive knowled ge was highly correlated with self-reported use of contraceptives, Fin ally, self-esteem was highly correlated with sexual knowledge and cert ain contraceptive use behaviors.