SEXUAL-ACTIVITY AND CONTRACEPTIVE USE AMONG CHILDREN ENTERING OUT-OF-HOME CARE

This study explored the prevalence of reported sexual activity of a co hort of children entering out-of-home care and the ability of selected factors to explain reported sexual activity and use or nonuse of cont raceptives. It found that children as young as age 8 reported sexual a ctivity, and that more than one-third of the children age 8 to 18 repo rted being sexually active. Of those who were sexually active, more th an one-third were not using contraceptives. Using logistic regression, five variables are identified as having importance in explaining sexu al activity. Two variables had some limited ability to explain contrac eptive use. Implications of these findings are discussed and suggestio ns for policy and practice are made.