Adolescent contraceptive non-use and covariation among risk behaviors

Purpose: To investigate whether adolescent contraceptive non-use is associa ted with other risk behaviors. Methods: A multistage sampling procedure produced a sample of 913 sexually active high school students. They completed a self-administered questionnai re that required mainly "yes" or "no" answers to questions involving partic ipation in a range of risk behaviors. A series of multivariate logistic reg ression models investigated the relationships between contraceptive non-use and selected hypothesised correlates, controlling for key demographic vari ables. Results: Contraceptive non-use was not significantly associated with use of cigarettes, alcohol, or inhalants; perpetration or being a victim of viole nce; exposure to risk of physical injury; and suicidality. For males only, there was a significant inverse association between contraceptive non-use a nd use of cannabis in the previous month. This was not the case for lifetim e cannabis use for either gender. There was a significant inverse relations hip between contraceptive non-use and knowing the most recent partner for m ore than 7 days, but no association for the number of partners nor duration since the last intercourse. For females only, there was a significant inve rse association between contraceptive non-use and both age and age of first intercourse. Conclusions: This study does not support the hypothesis that contraceptive non-use is a component of the "risk behavior syndrome." Decisions to partic ipate in intercourse and to use contraception have different psychosocial f oundations. Prevention efforts should prioritize relationships with new par tners and younger girls who commence intercourse early. (C) Society for Ado lescent Medicine, 2001.