Determinants for contraceptive use in young, single, Danish women from the general population.

ABSTRACT

PIP: The determinants of contraceptive use were investigated in a cohort study of 5031 sexually active, unmarried/non-cohabitating, non-pregnant women 20-29 years of age from Copenhagen, Denmark, identified through the Central Population Register. High proportions of these women reported a previous pregnancy (28%), abortion (22%), or sexually transmitted disease (STD) (34%). Current contraceptive use was reported by 4528 women (90%); the most frequently used methods were condoms (60%) and oral contraceptives (OCs) (33%). Among the 2066 women who used OCs or the IUD, 665 (32%) reported additional condom use (double contraception). Condom-only users were significantly more likely to have had first intercourse at age 17 or older, used condoms at first coitus, never have had an STD, and to have completed 11 or more years of education; also in this category were significant numbers of women with 15 or more life-time sexual partners and a prior legal abortion. Young age (20-23 years) was the most significant determinant of OC-only use. The only significant determinant of double contraceptive use was 15 or more life-time sex partners. The association between multiple sex partners and use of double contraception suggests that acquired immunodeficiency syndrome prevention messages are reaching the target population in Denmark.