Predictors of sexual intercourse and rapid-repeat pregnancy among teenage mothers

January 01, 0001

Predictors of sexual intercourse and rapid-repeat pregnancy among teenage mothers

The aim of this study by researchers from Australia was to examine the determinants of pregnancy within 2 years of a teenager giving birth for the first time (rapid-repeat pregnancy, RRP) and resumption of sexual intercourse after the birth. It consisted of a prospective cohort study between June 2004 and September 2006 at the sole tertiary obstetric hospital in Western Australia involving teenagers who gave birth for the first time. Data were collected using questionnaires at recruitment, 6 weeks and 3-monthly intervals for up to 2 years postpartum.

Of the 147 participants, 33% experienced an RRP. Sexual intercourse was independently significantly associated with using an oral contraceptive (odds ratio, OR, 2.83); living with the birth father (OR, 8.43); intending to become pregnant (OR, 3.20); smoking marijuana (OR, 2.60); and using alcohol (OR, 1.93). Use of long-acting contraceptives was associated with reduced odds of RRP (OR, 0.27), while teenagers who used an oral contraceptive had a similar risk of RRP compared with those using barrier methods or no contraception. Other factors predicting RRP were: being sexually active for more than 3 months (OR, 8.96); intending to become pregnant (OR, 2.39); and being an Indigenous Australian (OR, 2.38).

The researchers concluded: "There are two options available to health care providers for reducing the rate of RRP: to facilitate teenage mothers’ access to long-acting contraceptives; and to gain clear understanding of their intention with regard to repeat pregnancy and to provide appropriate support."

The use of oral contraceptives does not appear helpful here, unlike long-acting contraceptives.

For the full abstract, click here.

MJA 193(6):338-342, 20 September 2010 © The Medical Journal of Australia 2010
Predictors of sexual intercourse and rapid-repeat pregnancy among teenage mothers: an Australian prospective longitudinal study. Lucy N Lewis, Dorota A Doherty, Martha Hickey and S Rachel Skinner. Correspondence to Lucy Lewis: [email protected]

Category: W. Pregnancy/Childbirth/Family Planning Keywords: sexual intercourse, repeat, pregnancy, teenage, mothers, prospective longitudinal cohort study, journal watch.
Synopsis edited by Dr Stephen Wilkinson, Melbourne, Australia. Posted on Global Family Doctor 15 October 2010

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