Fall in US teen pregnancies mostly due to contraception
The dramatic decline in teenage pregnancy rates in the United States since 1991 is largely due to improved contraceptive use with a decline in sexual activity playing a relatively small role, according to study findings published online Nov. 30 in the American Journal of Public Health.
The dramatic decline in teenage pregnancy rates in the United States since 1991 is largely due to improved contraceptive use with a decline in sexual activity playing a relatively small role, according to study findings published online Nov. 30 in the American Journal of Public Health.
John S. Santelli, MD, MPH, and colleagues from the Guttmacher Institute in New York City, examined sexual activity and contraceptive use among females aged 15 to 19, using data from the National Survey of Family Growth from 1995–2002.
The researchers found that overall risk of pregnancy fell by 38%, with a larger decrease for teens aged 15 to 17. Eighty-six percent of the decrease was due to improved contraceptive use and the remaining 14% was due to reduced sexual activity. Improved contraceptive use included greater use of condoms, birth control pills, and withdrawal, as well as use of multiple methods and less non-use, the authors note.
Santelli JS, Lindberg LD, Finer LB, et al. Explaining Recent Declines in Adolescent Pregnancy in the United States: The Contribution of Abstinence and Improved Contraceptive Use. American Journal of Public Health, 2006; Published online ahead of November 30 print publication. http:// http://www.ajph.org/cgi/content/abstract/AJPH.2006.089169v1/.
Early preterm birth risk linked to low PlGF levels during pregnancy screening
November 20th 2024New research highlights that low levels of placental growth factor during mid-pregnancy screening can effectively predict early preterm birth, offering a potential tool to enhance maternal and infant health outcomes.
Read More
Major congenital malformations not linked to first trimester tetracycline use
November 20th 2024A large population-based study found that first-trimester tetracycline exposure does not elevate the risk of major congenital malformations, though specific risks for nervous system and eye anomalies warrant further research.
Read More
No link found between prenatal cannabis use and childhood developmental delay
November 5th 2024In a recent study, offspring of women with cannabis use in early pregnancy confirmed by self-report or toxicology test were not at an increased risk of childhood early developmental delay up to the age of 5.5 years.
Read More
Prenatal cannabis use not linked to offspring ASD development
November 1st 2024In a recent study, adjustments for maternal characteristics mediated the association between maternal prenatal cannabis use and offspring autism spectrum disorder, indicating no statistically significant increase in risk.
Read More
Importance of reproductive health services for adolescents during the COVID-19 pandemic
October 30th 2024In a recent study, high rates of reproductive health service use were reported among adolescent mothers, indicating the benefits of this model for providing care when other options are unavailable.
Read More
