18 Mar High School Girls Using Long-Acting Reversible Contraception Less Likely To Use Condoms

MedicalResearch.com Interview with:

Riley Steiner

Riley Steiner MPH
Epidemiologist in the Division of Adolescent and School Health
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

MedicalResearch.com: What is the background for this study? What are the main findings?

Response: Using data from the 2013 national Youth Risk Behavior Survey (YRBS), our analysis looks at differences in condom use and other sexual risk behaviors among users of a variety of contraceptive methods. We found that sexually active high school females using long-acting reversible contraception (LARC) are less likely to use condoms when compared to those using oral contraceptives.

MedicalResearch.com: What should clinicians and patients take away from your report?

Response: The findings highlight a need to increase condom use among all users of highly and moderately effective contraceptive methods (LARC, Depo-Provera, patch, ring, or oral contraceptives) to prevent STDs. As LARC use increases among adolescents, we need to remind teens that  long-acting reversible contraception methods do not protect against STIs and that condoms should also be used for STI prevention. Health care professionals can help adolescents develop strategies for correct and consistent condom use for STI prevention in addition to helping adolescents choose the contraceptive method that works best for them to prevent unintended pregnancy. To ensure this happens, providers need training and tools to effectively address both pregnancy and STI prevention within the same clinical visit.

MedicalResearch.com: What recommendations do you have for future research as a result of this study?

Response: Research is needed to improve our understanding of the motivations for condom use among adolescents using highly or moderately effective contraceptive methods, as well as provider perceptions and recommendation of LARC for adolescents. Such data will help to explain why adolescent long-acting reversible contraception users may be less likely to use condoms compared to oral contraceptive users. Additionally, we need to continue to monitor the rates at which condoms are used alongside other contraceptive options. 

MedicalResearch.com: Is there anything else you would like to add?

Response: The findings should not deter adolescent  long-acting reversible contraception use but rather inform how STI prevention is addressed as LARC use increases among adolescents. 

MedicalResearch.com: Thank you for your contribution to the MedicalResearch.com community.

Citation:

Steiner RJ, Liddon N, Swartzendruber AL, Rasberry CN, Sales JM. Long-Acting Reversible Contraception and Condom Use Among Female US High School Students: Implications for Sexually Transmitted Infection Prevention. JAMA Pediatr.Published online March 14, 2016. doi:10.1001/jamapediatrics.2016.0007.

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Last Updated on March 18, 2016 by Marie Benz MD FAAD