Sexual activity, contraception and unwanted pregnancy at puberty and adolescence
Sirakov, M.
Akusherstvo i Ginekologiia 29(5): 36-40
1990
ISSN/ISBN: 0324-0959 PMID: 2091474 Document Number: 375781
In an attempt to evaluate the sexual activity of adolescents, 468 teenagers (216 girls, 252 boys; 17-18 years old), 214 girls (13-17 years old) undergoing induced abortion, and 120 girls (14-17 years old) who gave birth to illegitimate children were asked to answer a questionnaire. Analysis of responses to the questionnaire indicated that 86.2% of boys and 63.3% of girls became sexually active before the age of 18 years old. The reasons for sexual activity included curiosity (22.9% of girls and 31.1% of boys), libido (7.6% and 22.4%, respectively), and love (45.7% and 17.2%, respectively); in 23.8% of girls and 29.3% of boys, the 1st intercourse occurred by an accident. The most frequently used method of contraception was coitus interruptus, followed by the calendar method, condoms, vaginal irrigations, and oral contraceptives. Of 214 girls undergoing induced abortion, 120 had pregnancy of 12 weeks of gestation, 65 had pregnancy of 12-20 weeks of gestation, and 29 had pregnancy of 20 weeks of gestation. Of 214 girls, 67 indicated that they became pregnant from the 1st sexual partner; 7% were using contraceptives, 45% did not used contraceptives, and 48% were relying on the sexual partner. Of 120 girls who gave birth to illegitimate babies, 67.5% decided to keep the baby (83.3% of 15- years-old girls, compared with 57.1% of 18-years-old girls).