Joe Funk, BS¹, Kelly Cleland, MPA, MPH¹, Claire Brindis, DrPH², and Anna Ramirez, MPH³. (1) Center for Reproductive Health Research and Policy, University of California, San Francisco, 3333 California Street, Suite 265, San Francisco, CA 94143-0936, 415-514-2314, funk@itsa.ucsf.edu, (2) Center for Reproductive Health Research and Policy, University of California, San Francisco, 3333 California Street, Suite 265, San Francisco, CA 94143-0936, (3) Office of Family Planning, State of California Department of Health Services, 714 P Street #440, Sacramento, CA 95814

For FY 2003/2004, California’s Office of Family Planning funded 170 teen pregnancy prevention (TPP) programs in communities throughout the state. Prior to participating in TPP program activities, 2,519 adolescents completed surveys measuring attitudes and behaviors about sex, along with personal strengths and intentions for the future. This study explores baseline differences in risk and sexual behaviors among participants who reported having had sex at least once. Participants were divided into two subsamples based on their response to the question “How likely it is that you’ll choose to have sex in the next year?” Approximately 10% (n=92) of sexually experienced youth indicated that they would most likely not have sex in the next year. Those youth were less likely than those who expected to have sex to have engaged in the following activities two or more times in the previous month: smoking marijuana (18% vs. 32%*), drinking alcohol (20% vs. 36%*), or having sex after using alcohol or drugs (7% vs. 17%*). They were also more likely to have had a single sexual partner (61% vs. 34%*). There was surprisingly little difference between the groups in their tendency to talk to parents/guardians regarding sexual attitudes and activity. These results suggest that few adolescents plan to avoid sexual activity after having at least one experience of sexual intercourse. As indicated by this study, a greater understanding of factors that surround adolescents who choose to cease sexual activity could help health providers to target pregnancy prevention efforts more effectively.

*Results significant at p<.05.

Learning Objectives:

(
• List four indicators that link adolescents to an increased risk of pregnancy and infection by sexually transmitted infections. (
• Discuss the unique characteristics of adolescents who have had sex, but intend to discontinue sexual activity. (
• Evaluate the implications that the characteristics of adolescents who intend to cease sexual activity have for adolescent pregnancy prevention programs.

Keywords: Adolescents, Reproductive Health

Presenting author's disclosure statement:
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.