Sexual Health Behaviors and Pregnancy Risk Among Hospitalized Female Adolescents.
Document Type
Article
Publication Date
10-2021
Identifier
DOI: 10.1542/hpeds.2021-005810
Abstract
Objectives: To describe sexual health behaviors, contraceptive use, and pregnancy risk among hospitalized female adolescents.
Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional survey of hospitalized female patients aged 14 to 21 years at 2 academic medical centers to assess sexual health behaviors, contraceptive use, contraceptive counseling receipt, and factors associated with pregnancy complications (eg, diabetes, teratogenic exposure). We calculated the validated Pregnancy Risk Index (PRI) (number per 100 who will become pregnant in the next year).
Results: Among 177 participants (mean age 16 years, SD 1.5), 75 (43%) were sexually active. At last vaginal sex, 65% reported condom use; 49%, reversible contraception; and 12%, long-acting reversible contraception (LARC). Past-year contraceptive counseling was reported by 73% of sexually active female participants and was associated with increased use of reversible (P = .001) and dual contraception (P = .03) but not LARC (P = .24). The mean PRI among all participants was 4.75. Nearly three-quarters (73%) had a medical comorbidity or teratogenic exposure. Those with teratogenic medication use had the lowest PRI of 0.32 (P < .05), with 88% using reversible contraception and 31% using LARC.
Conclusions: Hospitalized female adolescents had a PRI similar to that of adolescents in the general population. However, nearly three-quarters had a medical comorbidity and/or teratogenic exposure, which increased risk for pregnancy complications. Contraceptive counseling was associated with increased reversible and dual contraception use but not LARC use. Efforts to improve comprehensive contraceptive counseling, highlighting LARC, are critically needed in this population.
Journal Title
Hosp Pediatr
Volume
11
Issue
10
First Page
1129
Last Page
1136
MeSH Keywords
Adolescent; Contraception; Contraception Behavior; Cross-Sectional Studies; Female; Health Behavior; Humans; Long-Acting Reversible Contraception; Pregnancy
Keywords
Adolescent; Contraception; Contraception Behavior; Cross-Sectional Studies; Female; Health Behavior; Humans; Long-Acting Reversible Contraception; Pregnancy
Recommended Citation
Hunt JA, Randell KA, Mermelstein S, et al. Sexual Health Behaviors and Pregnancy Risk Among Hospitalized Female Adolescents. Hosp Pediatr. 2021;11(10):1129-1136. doi:10.1542/hpeds.2021-005810
COinS
Comments
Grant support