Assessing the Contraceptive Attitudes of US-Born and Foreign-Born Black Women Living in the USA: a Descriptive Cross-Sectional Study.

BACKGROUND: Racially and ethnically marginalized US women experience unintended pregnancy at twice the rate of White women. Understanding contraceptive attitudes can help identify women at increased risk of contraceptive non-use and unintended pregnancy. We assessed the contraceptive attitudes of US-born and foreign-born Black women and examined differences by nativity. METHODS: We used an electronic survey, implemented by Lucid LLC, a consumer research firm, to collect cross-sectional data from 657 reproductive-aged women. Analysis was limited to 414 Black women aged 18-44 years. The exposure variable was nativity (US-born or foreign-born), and the outcome variable was cumulative score on the 32-item Contraceptive Attitude Scale (CAS). Analysis included multivariable linear regression, adjusted for confounders. We also estimated separate models, stratified by nativity to identify predictors of contraceptive attitude among US-born Black women and foreign-born Black women, respectively. RESULTS: Three in four participants were US-born (76.6%). The average cumulative CAS score was 118.4 ±20.4 out of 160 indicating favorable contraceptive attitudes. In pooled analysis, foreign-born Black women had significantly lower contraceptive attitude scores compared to US-born women (adjusted regression coefficient (ß)= -6.48, p=0.036). In nativity-stratified analysis, income, education, and perceived control over pregnancy timing were significant predictors of contraceptive attitudes for both US-born and foreign-born women. Other significant predictors of contraceptive attitude among US-born women were older maternal age, multi-parity, and perceived pregnancy risk; whereas, for foreign-born women, other significant predictors included marital status (married/cohabiting), language spoken predominantly at home (French), and perceived ability to have a baby and still achieve life goals (agree, neither agree nor disagree). CONCLUSION: In addressing the contraceptive needs of Black women, it is important to recognize the differences in attitudes towards contraception by nativity and provide culturally sensitive information and education.

A Review of Miscarriage and Healthcare Communication in the United States.

Miscarriage is a pervasive and socioemotionally complex pregnancy complication. Evidence suggests that poor clinical management can worsen these experiences. Yet, assessments of healthcare communication during a miscarriage are limited and a systematic review of the literature is needed. This review identified and synthesized original research on miscarriage and healthcare communication in the United States from the past 20 years to identify existing knowledge gaps for future miscarriage research. The following databases were searched: PubMed, PsychINFO, and ERIC Database. Data were charted according to Arksey and O'Malley's Scoping Review Framework. Eleven articles were included in the review and three primary themes emerged: (a) patients overwhelmingly prefer patient-centered care; (b) miscarriage is often overmedicalized, which leads to poor communication; and (c) informed decision-making related to one's miscarriage can improve patient experiences. Several gaps were also identified, including studies seeking physician perspectives on miscarriage communication, evaluation of standard care guidelines, and studies evaluating diverse patients' perspectives. This review highlights the need for patient-centered care that utilizes compassionate and accessible language and promotes informed decision-making. Future research should use quantitative methodologies and longitudinal designs to build upon these findings and improve patient experiences of miscarriage.

Women, Infants, and Children enrollment and pregnancy-related behaviors and outcomes among Medicaid recipients in the United States.

BACKGROUND: Nearly 40% of pregnant women in 2016 were enrolled in the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC). Prior studies have investigated nutritional behaviors among WIC participants and access to WIC breastfeeding counseling services. However, there are no (few?) nationally representative, large-scale analyses of WIC users and pregnancy behaviors. Thus, the present study aims to examine associations between WIC use and select pregnancy outcomes among Medicaid enrollees. METHODS: We examined pregnancy-related behaviors and outcomes using 2018 U.S. Birth Certificates for Medicaid patients aged 18-45 years (N = 1 159 263). Outcomes included prenatal care (PNC) adequacy, breastfeeding initiation, cigarette use, and gestational weight gain. Standard binary and multinomial logistic regressions were used to estimate odds ratios (OR) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs). RESULTS: After adjustment, WIC users had statistically significant increased odds of adequate PNC (adjusted OR [AOR] = 1.31 [95% CI 1.30, 1.32]), cigarette use (quit smoking during pregnancy 1.09 [1.07, 1.11]; smoked throughout pregnancy 1.16 [1.14, 1.18], and exceeding recommendations of weight gain 1.07 [1.06, 1.08]) compared with non-WIC users. WIC enrollees also experienced decreased odds of breastfeeding initiation (0.85 [0.85, 0.86]) compared with non-WIC users. CONCLUSIONS: The study underscores the value of the WIC program in improving access to PNC. Yet, low-income women remain at risk for smoking during pregnancy and exceeding the recommended amount of weight gain. Breastfeeding initiation is lower than anticipated among WIC participants. Additional studies are needed to investigate WIC program efficacy.

The Association between Having a Preterm Birth and Later Maternal Mental Health: An Analysis of U.S. Pregnancy Risk Assessment Monitoring System Data.

INTRODUCTION: Although previous studies have found a relationship between having a preterm birth and maternal depression, methodologic issues may have limited the generalizability of results. Thus, the purpose of this study was to evaluate the relationship between having a preterm birth and postpartum depressive symptoms using a large, population-based sample of U.S. women. METHODS: This secondary data analysis used 2012-2014 U.S. Pregnancy Risk Assessment Monitoring System data (N = 89,366). Data on the exposure, preterm birth, were obtained from birth certificates. Infants born at 32 to less than 37 weeks' gestation were considered moderate to late preterm, infants born at 28 to less than 32 full weeks' gestation were considered very preterm, and infant born at less than 28 full weeks' gestation were considered extremely preterm. To assess the outcome, two Pregnancy Risk Assessment Monitoring System questions measuring postpartum depressive symptoms were used. Logistic regression was used to calculate unadjusted and adjusted odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence interval (CIs). RESULTS: After adjustment for confounders, the relationship between having a preterm birth and maternal hopelessness was statistically significant for those who had very preterm and extremely preterm births (moderate to late preterm OR, 1.19; 95% CI, 1.00-1.42; very preterm OR, 1.28; 95% CI, 1.04-1.58; extremely preterm OR, 1.81; 95% CI, 1.31-2.49). In addition, after adjustment, findings indicated no association between preterm birth and maternal loss of interest (extremely preterm OR, 0.85 95% CI, 0.60-1.19; very preterm OR, 1.04; 95% CI, 0.86-1.26; preterm OR, 0.95; 95% CI, 0.82-1.10). CONCLUSIONS: Given the statistically significant increased association between having a preterm birth and postpartum depressive symptoms, health professionals may consider implementing comprehensive screening for depression and other mental illnesses among women who give birth prematurely. Findings may also inform future interventions to emphasize the importance of postpartum care among women who have experienced preterm birth.

A Population-Based Study of Factors Associated with Postpartum Contraceptive Use by Birth Interval Length.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to evaluate factors associated with postpartum contraceptive use among women with short and moderate-to-long birth intervals using population-based data from the Pregnancy Risk Assessment and Monitoring System. METHODS: Because only Mississippi and Tennessee include a question about birth interval length on their Pregnancy Risk Assessment and Monitoring System survey, this analysis was limited to women from those states who reported information on this variable (N = 2198). Demographic, lifestyle, and reproductive data, including information on postpartum contraceptive use, were obtained from surveys and birth certificates. Logistic regression was used to obtain odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs). RESULTS: Nearly 90% of women reported currently using a form of contraception during the postpartum period. In the unadjusted model, among women with short birth intervals, there was no association between alcohol consumption during pregnancy and postpartum contraceptive use (OR 1.03, 95% CI 0.15-7.31); however, smoking during pregnancy was associated with a decreased odds of postpartum contraceptive use (OR 0.70, 95% CI 0.25-1.96). Among women with moderate-to-long birth intervals, alcohol use during pregnancy was associated with a decreased odds (OR 0.71, 95% CI 0.28-1.80) and smoking during pregnancy was associated with an increased odds (OR 1.18, 95% CI 0.60-2.30) of postpartum contraceptive use. Regardless of birth interval length, women with no health insurance had a decreased odds of postpartum contraceptive use when compared with women with health insurance (short birth interval: OR 0.89, 95% CI 0.32-2.49 and moderate-to-long birth interval: OR 0.85, 95% CI 0.52-1.39). Among women with short birth intervals, non-Hispanic black women had a decreased odds of postpartum contraceptive use (OR 0.14, 95% CI 0.03-0.64) and women who were unmarried or had a history of preterm delivery had an increased odds of postpartum contraceptive use (unmarried: OR 5.81, 95% CI 1.26-26.69 and preterm delivery: OR 4.19, 95% CI 1.42-12.37, respectively) after adjustment for confounders. Among women with moderate-to-long birth intervals, individuals who identified as Hispanic/mixed race/other had a statistically significant decreased odds of postpartum contraceptive use after adjustment (OR 0.43, 95% CI 0.18-0.99). CONCLUSIONS: Findings underscore the importance of postpartum medical visits for all women, regardless of birth interval length. Certain groups of women may need additional counseling regarding the importance of using contraceptives to prevent another closely spaced or unintended pregnancy.

Is having any prenatal care associated with lower infant mortality in West Africa? Evidence from the Demographic and Health Surveys.

Although developing countries may find it difficult to provide adequate prenatal care, it is likely that they can provide at least some. We examined associations of prenatal care with infant mortality in West Africa. We used data from the Demographic and Health Surveys (n = 57,322) and proportional hazards regression models to estimate the risk of infant mortality. Having any prenatal care was associated with lower infant mortality risk in all but the poorest wealth quintile, with 56% lower risk in the wealthiest quintile (95% confidence interval [CI] 0.28-0.69). Even limited prenatal care may significantly reduce infant mortality in developing countries.

Group Prenatal Visits: Maternal and Neonatal Health Outcomes.

INTRODUCTION: Most studies evaluating the effect of group prenatal care on maternal and neonatal health outcomes assess the CenteringPregnancy model, which follows a set structure and educational curriculum. Group prenatal visits (GPVs) bring together pregnant patients for visits that include education and a health evaluation. GPVs represent a more flexible method of delivering group prenatal care, compared with CenteringPregnancy. Our study sought to determine whether GPV participation affects maternal and neonatal health outcomes. METHODS: The Myers Park Obstetrics and Gynecology Clinic is located in Charlotte, North Carolina, and serves a racially, ethnically, and socioeconomically diverse population. GPVs were offered at the clinic between July 2014 and July 2015. Retrospective data were collected for women who obtained prenatal care, either GPV or individual care, during that period. Demographic, birth, and postpartum data were extracted from the electronic health record. GPV participants were categorized by the percent of prenatal visits that were GPVs (limited GPV: <30% of visits as GPV; moderate GPV: ≥30% of visits as GPV). Logistic regression models were created to assess the effect of GPV participation on low birth weight, preterm birth, cesarean birth, and postpartum visit attendance. RESULTS: There were 355 study participants (GPV n = 78, individual care n = 277). Among GPV participants, 52.6% were classified as limited GPV, and 47.4% were classified as moderate GPV. The adjusted analysis showed limited-GPV patients had lower odds of postpartum visit attendance, compared with individual-care patients (odds ratio, 0.48; 95% CI, 0.24-0.94). Neither the unadjusted nor adjusted models demonstrated a statistically significant association between GPV participation and low birth weight, preterm birth, or cesarean birth. DISCUSSION: GPVs for prenatal care can be implemented without negative effects on maternal or neonatal health. However, fidelity to a more comprehensive model of group prenatal care may be necessary to achieve health outcome improvements.

Interbirth Interval and Pregnancy Complications and Outcomes: Findings from the Pregnancy Risk Assessment Monitoring System.

INTRODUCTION: Although the definition of a short interbirth interval has been inconsistent in the literature, Healthy People 2020 recommends that women wait at least 18 months after a live birth before attempting their next pregnancy. In the United States, approximately 33% of pregnancies are conceived within 18 months of a previous birth. Pregnancies that result from short interbirth intervals can pose serious risks. The objective of this study was to determine the association between interbirth interval and understudied pregnancy complications and outcomes, including small for gestational age (SGA) infants, premature rupture of membranes (PROM), preterm PROM (PPROM), placenta previa, and gestational diabetes, using Pregnancy Risk Assessment and Monitoring System data from Mississippi and Tennessee. METHODS: This study collected self-reported information from 2212 women on interbirth interval (≤18 months, ie, short; 19-35 months, ie, intermediate; and ≥36 months, ie, long; referent), PPROM, placenta previa, and gestational diabetes. SGA and PROM data were obtained from birth certificates. Logistic regression was used to calculate odds ratios (ORs) and 95% CIs. RESULTS: After adjustment, there were no strong associations between interbirth interval and PPROM, gestational diabetes, or SGA infants. However, women with shorter intervals had increased odds of PROM (short: OR, 3.54; 95% CI, 1.22-10.23 and intermediate: OR, 4.09; 95% CI, 1.28-13.03) and placenta previa (short: OR, 2.58; 95% CI, 1.10-6.05 and intermediate: OR, 1.69; 95% CI, 0.94-3.05). DISCUSSION: The study's findings provide further support for encouraging women to space their pregnancies appropriately. Moreover, findings underscore the need to provide women with family planning services so that closely spaced pregnancies and unintended pregnancies can be avoided. Additional studies of the role of interbirth interval on these understudied pregnancy complications and outcomes are warranted.

Factors associated with pregnancy intention among women who have experienced a short birth interval: findings from the 2009 to 2011 Mississippi and 2009 Tennessee Pregnancy Risk Assessment Monitoring System.

PURPOSE: One-third of all pregnancies in the United States are conceived within 18 months of a prior live birth. Preventing unintended pregnancies may help to decrease the prevalence of pregnancies with these short interpregnancy intervals. However, data on factors associated with pregnancy intention among women who have had short birth intervals are sparse. Pregnancy Risk Assessment Monitoring System data were used to further evaluate these associations. METHODS: Because only Mississippi and Tennessee Pregnancy Risk Assessment Monitoring System include a survey question about birth interval length, this analysis was limited to women from those states who recently had a short birth interval (n = 384). Pregnancy intention and demographic, lifestyle, and reproductive data were obtained from surveys and birth certificates. Logistic regression was used to obtain odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs). RESULTS: Nearly 76% of women with short birth intervals reported their pregnancy as unintended. Women who were non-Hispanic black or consumed alcohol during pregnancy had statistically significant increased odds of reporting the pregnancy with a short birth interval as being unintended (OR = 3.98; 95% CI: 1.73-9.16 and OR = 10.56; 95% CI: 1.80-61.83, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: Although all women should be counseled on postpartum contraceptive use, findings suggest that important subpopulations of women may benefit from more targeted counseling during prenatal care visits and the immediate postpartum hospital stay regarding the importance of using contraception to not only better space pregnancies but also prevent unintended pregnancies.

Pediatric Inpatient Nurses' Perceptions of Child Maltreatment.

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to explore the perceptions of child maltreatment among inpatient pediatric nurses. DESIGN AND METHODS: A cross-sectional survey was used to obtain responses to an online survey designed to examine perceptions of child maltreatment from inpatient pediatric nurses. RESULTS: Many nurses surveyed (41.25%) indicated that they had not received adequate training or had never received training on child maltreatment identification and many (40%) also indicated they were not familiar with the applicable reporting laws. CONCLUSIONS: Due to the serious immediate and long term effects of child maltreatment, it is imperative that pediatric inpatient nurses have adequate training on how to identify potential abuse and neglect cases, as well as legal reporting requirements, since they are in a unique position to identify potential cases of maltreatment. PRACTICE IMPLICATIONS: There is a continuing need for training on child maltreatment identification and reporting laws for inpatient pediatric nurses.

Associations of government health expenditures, the supply of health care professionals, and country literacy with prenatal care use in ten West African countries.

Social and health care context may influence prenatal care use. We studied associations of government health expenditures, supply of health care professionals, and country literacy rates with prenatal care use in ten West African countries, controlling for individual factors. We used data from Demographic and Health Surveys (n = 58,512) and random effect logistic regression models to estimate the likelihood of having any prenatal care and adequate prenatal care. Each percentage increase in the literacy rate was associated with 4% higher odds of having adequate prenatal care (p = .029). Higher literacy rates among women may help to promote adequate prenatal care.

Association of type of birth attendant and place of delivery on infant mortality in sub-Saharan Africa.

OBJECTIVE: To examine the association between type of birth attendant and place of delivery, and infant mortality (IM). METHODS: This cross-sectional study used self-reported data from the Demographic Health Surveys for women in Ghana, Kenya, and Sierra Leone. Logistic regression estimated odds ratios (ORs) and95% confidence intervals. RESULTS: In Ghana and Sierra Leone, odds of IM were higher for women who delivered at a health facility versus women who delivered at a household residence (OR=3.18, 95% confidence interval, CI: 1.29-7.83, p=0.01 and OR=1.62, 95% CI: 1.15-2.28, p=0.01, respectively). Compared to the use of health professionals, the use of birth attendants for assistance with delivery was not significantly associated with IM for women in Ghana or Sierra Leone (OR=2.17, 95% CI: 0.83-5.69, p=0.12 and OR=1.25, 95% CI: 0.92-1.70, p=0.15, respectively). In Kenya, odds of IM, though nonsignificant, were lower for women who used birth attendants than those who used health professionals to assist with delivery (OR=0.85, 95% CI: 0.51-1.41, p=0.46), and higher with delivery at a health facility versus a household residence (OR=1.29, 95% CI: 0.81-2.03, p=0.28). CONCLUSIONS: Women in Ghana and Sierra Leone who delivered at a health facility had statistically significant increased odds of IM. Birth attendant type-IM associations were not statistically significant.Future research should consider culturally-sensitive interventions to improve maternal health and help reduce IM.

Assessing a Public Health Intervention for Children in Barbados, 2003-2008.

INTRODUCTION: In 2003, Barbados, a developing country with universal health care, launched the Barbados Strategic Plan for Health, a national intervention to promote public health. Teachers, health educators, and clinicians worked to improve children's health, with particular focus on asthma and diabetes. We studied this intervention by using data on preventable hospitalization, an indicator that assesses both the overall effectiveness of public health and access to primary health care. The purpose of this study was to assess the Barbados Strategic Plan for Health by measuring rates of preventable hospitalization among children. Few researchers have studied these hospitalizations for children, and only 1 study has done so in a developing country. METHODS: We calculated annual (2003-2008) population-based rates of preventable hospitalizations from birth through age 19, both summary and disease-specific, for the 5 conditions that define the indicator for children: asthma, diabetes, gastroenteritis, urinary tract infection, and perforated appendix. RESULTS: Across the 6 years, the population rates of preventable hospitalizations increased 115.4% for boys and 67.2% for girls (both P < .001). Asthma accounted for much of the increase. Regression analysis indicated that the average annual increase in asthma hospitalization for boys was 0.45 per 1,000, an average annual increase of 20.6% of the baseline rate. These results suggest generally increasing rates of hospitalization for asthma for boys. There was no evidence of a corresponding rate trend for girls. CONCLUSION: Results suggest an opportunity to improve public health education and access to primary health care. Public health professionals in developing countries can use the approaches of this study to evaluate initiatives to improve child health.

Competencies for master and doctoral students in epidemiology: what is important, what is unimportant, and where is there room for improvement?

In 2008, members of the American College of Epidemiology's Education Committee began work on a project to facilitate discussion on identifying domains and core competencies for epidemiologic training at the master and doctoral levels. Two online surveys were created and participants (N = 183; n = 147 [established epidemiologists] and n = 36 [recent graduates]) rated the importance of 19 domains and 66 competencies. A total of 17 competencies were viewed as important or very important for individuals earning various master- or doctoral-level degrees in epidemiology, whereas eight competencies were reported as being unimportant for all individuals earning graduate degrees in epidemiology. Twenty additional competencies were viewed as important or very important only for individuals receiving doctoral training. In addition, recent master-level graduates identified nine domains in which they felt less prepared, and recent doctoral-level graduates identified two such domains. Additional research is warranted to ensure that all epidemiologists receive sufficient training in identified areas.

Evaluating access to primary health care among older women and men in Barbados using preventable hospitalization.

We evaluated access to primary health care for older women and men in Barbados, a developing country, using a widely accepted access indicator, hospitalization for ambulatory care sensitive conditions. Using 2003-2008 data, we calculated gender-specific total annual population-based rates of these hospitalizations per 1,000 older women and men and individual rates for the six most prevalent conditions. Across the 6 years, these hospitalizations increased 33.6% for women, 30.6% for men (both P < .0001). However, the average rate for diabetes fell 32% for women, 36% for men. Findings suggest an opportunity to improve access to primary health care, particularly for older women.

No association between body size and frequency of sexual intercourse among oral contraceptive users.

PURPOSE: This study aimed to describe the frequency of sexual intercourse and whether body size was associated with weekly sexual intercourse among a diverse group of women using oral contraceptives. METHODS: This longitudinal prospective cohort study recruited participants (n = 185) from several clinics in Charlotte, NC. Body mass index (BMI) and waist-to-hip ratio (WHR) were used as measures of body size and sexual intercourse frequency was determined from self-reported information provided on daily diaries. Mean monthly frequencies of sexual intercourse were calculated and linear mixed models were used to assess if means remained constant over time. Generalized estimating equations were used to calculate odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs). RESULTS: Mean monthly frequency of sexual intercourse was similar for women classified as normal or underweight or obese by BMI during each month of data collection but was highest for women classified as overweight. After adjustment, obesity-sexual intercourse associations were attenuated (BMI ≥30 vs. <25.0: OR = 0.78; 95% CI, 0.43-1.42 and WHR ≥ 0.85 vs. <0.85: OR = 1.11; 95% CI, 0.62-2.01). CONCLUSIONS: This study found no association between BMI or WHR and weekly sexual intercourse. However, more research is warranted given the importance of this possible relationship for future studies of fertility, contraceptive effectiveness, and sexual health.

Does amount of weight gain during pregnancy modify the association between obesity and cesarean section delivery?

BACKGROUND: Two-thirds of reproductive-aged women in the United States are overweight or obese and at risk for numerous associated adverse pregnancy outcomes. This study examined whether the amount of weight gained during pregnancy modifies the prepregnancy body mass index (BMI)-cesarean delivery association. METHODS: A total of 2,157 women aged 18-45 who participated in the 2008-2009 North Carolina Pregnancy Risk Assessment Monitoring System had complete information on prepregnancy BMI, maternal weight gain, and mode of delivery on infant birth certificates. Logistic regression was used to obtain odds ratios (ORs) and 95 percent confidence intervals (CIs) to model the association between prepregnancy BMI and cesarean delivery, and a stratified analysis was conducted to determine whether maternal weight gain was an effect modifier of the prepregnancy BMI-cesarean delivery association. RESULTS: Obese women had 1.78 times the odds of cesarean delivery as compared with women with a normal BMI (95% CI: 1.44-2.16). When adjusted for race/ethnicity, live birth order, household income, and education, the association increased in magnitude and remained statistically significant (OR = 2.01, 95% CI: 1.63-2.43). In stratified analyses, the obesity-cesarean delivery association persisted and remained statistically significant among all maternal weight gain categories. CONCLUSIONS: Health care practitioners should stress the importance of achieving a healthy prepregnancy weight and gaining an appropriate amount of weight during pregnancy to reduce the risk of cesarean delivery and other adverse pregnancy outcomes.

Identifying women at risk of unintended pregnancy: a comparison of two pregnancy readiness measures.

PURPOSE: Recently, there has been interest in developing a predictive measure to assess pregnancy readiness/intention in clinical settings. Two such measures have been created but tested primarily in pregnant or postpartum populations. This study examined agreement between the pregnancy readiness measures in a diverse population of nonpregnant women. METHODS: Women completed short questionnaires while waiting for clinical appointments. Participants' responses to the pregnancy readiness measures were cross-tabulated to assess the level of agreement between the measures. Logistic regression was used to determine factors related to disagreement between the measures. Complete information was available for 220 women. RESULTS: Almost 55% of women had disagreement between the pregnancy readiness measures. Women with a high school education or less had 2.60 times the odds of disagreement (95% confidence interval 1.23-5.49), and women who did not use contraception had 2.40 times the odds of disagreement (95% confidence interval 1.18-4.87). CONCLUSIONS: Although both pregnancy readiness measures are promising tools that could potentially be adapted for use in public health or clinical settings, there are limitations to these measures. These measures should be further tested and refined through the use of qualitative methods to ensure that a valid measure is created for use in non-pregnant populations.

The role of family conflict on risky sexual behavior in adolescents aged 15 to 21.

PURPOSE: Family conflict is related to numerous risky behavioral outcomes during adolescence; however, few studies have examined how family conflict is associated with risky sexual behavior during adolescence. METHODS: Data from 1104 adolescents aged 15 to 21 who completed the 2008 National Longitudinal Survey of Youth were analyzed. Information on family conflict (family fighting and family criticizing) and sexual behavior (number of sexual partners in past year and use of contraception at last intercourse) was self-reported. Logistic regression was used to obtain odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs). RESULTS: After adjustment, adolescents whose family members often fought had increased odds of not using contraception at last intercourse and having two or more sexual partners in the past year (OR, 1.40 [95% CI, 1.04-1.88] and OR, 1.62 [95% CI, 1.23-2.14], respectively). Adolescents whose family members often criticized each other also had increased odds of not using contraception at last intercourse and having two or more sexual partners in the past year (OR, 1.46 [95% CI, 1.12-1.90] and OR, 1.22 [95% CI, 0.96-1.55], respectively). CONCLUSIONS: Family conflict was associated with risky sexual behaviors in this racially/ethnically diverse sample of adolescents. If confirmed in other studies, adolescents who experience family conflict may be an important population to target with information regarding safer sex practices.