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Home / American Journal of Health Behavior, Volume 26, Number 6

Antecedents of Adolescent Initiation of Sex, Contraceptive Use, and Pregnancy

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Author: Kirby, Douglas

Source: American Journal of Health Behavior, Volume 26, Number 6, November 2002, pp. 473-485(13)

Publisher: PNG Publications and Scientific Research Limited

DOI: https://doi.org/10.5993/AJHB.26.6.8

Objective: To identify the most important antecedents associated with adolescent initiation of sex, contraceptive use, and pregnancy. Methods: Statistically significant antecedents in more than 250 studies were identified and summarized. Results: More than 100 antecedents create a complex and detailed picture of the correlates of adolescent sexual behaviors. They describe characteristics of the adolescents themselves, their partners, peers, families, schools, and communities, as well as relationships to these entities. They included antecedents that were inherently sexual and nonsexual. Conclusions: To reduce teen pregnancy substantially, multiple sexual and nonsexual antecedents in different clusters may need to be addressed.

Document Type: Research Article

Affiliations: ETR Associates, Santa Cruz, CA, 95061-1830.

Publication date: 01 November 2002

More about this publication?

  • The American Journal of Health Behavior seeks to improve the quality of life through multidisciplinary health efforts in fostering a better understanding of the multidimensional nature of both individuals and social systems as they relate to health behaviors.

    The Journal aims to provide a comprehensive understanding of the impact of personal attributes, personality characteristics, behavior patterns, social structure, and processes on health maintenance, health restoration, and health improvement; to disseminate knowledge of holistic, multidisciplinary approaches to designing and implementing effective health programs; and to showcase health behavior analysis skills that have been proven to affect health improvement and recovery.

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