Compliance and other issues in contraception

About 5% of women in the United States (approximately three million) are no t using contraception despite being at risk of unintended pregnancy. Teenag ers have the highest rate of unintended pregnancy. Women 40 years and older most frequently terminate unintended pregnancy. Multiple theories and mode ls, including the health belief model, the health decision model, the Proch aska change model, and the conviction-confidence model, have been developed to address choices and change in health behavior. Despite this information , current data on contraceptive compliance show considerable need for impro vement. Side effects and patients' beliefs and preferences appear to influe nce strongly whether a method will be used appropriately. Systems improveme nts that address issues such as access and enhancement of provider-patient interaction appear to be areas of potential opportunity. Despite continued need for improvement, there is a paucity of information testing new approac hes to improve contraceptive compliance.