Abstract
Objective
To compare use of contraceptive methods at last heterosexual intercourse among 15–44 year-old women and men at risk of unintended pregnancy in the United States.
Study Design
We employed data from the National Survey of Family Growth 2006–2013. We considered
women and men to be at risk of unintended pregnancy if they had intercourse in the
last month, regardless of contraceptive use, and if they or their partner had the
ability to get pregnant and was not trying to become pregnant. We categorized multiple
method use according to the most effective method reported. To explore the contributions
of age and relationship status to differences in reporting between women and men,
we conducted sensitivity analyses, limiting age to 25–44 years and union status to married and cohabiting.
Results
Distributions of methods used at last intercourse differed for women and men. A positive
difference reflects higher reporting among women, while a negative difference reflects
higher reporting among men. Percentage-point differences were largest for reported
use of no method (−7.6) and female sterilization (+7.4), each p<.001. These differences
persisted even when the sample was restricted by age and relationship status.
Conclusion
Estimates of men's contraceptive use may be subject to underreporting of their partners'
method use, particularly when their female partner is sterilized. Neither older age
nor married and cohabiting relationship status accounted for the observed differences.
Further research is needed to explore the factors underlying reporting differences
between women and men with respect to female sterilization and use of no method.
Implications (50)
Characterizing the determinants of contraceptive use among men and the relationship
of men's pregnancy intentions, feelings and desires to contraceptive use are important
future research goals. To ensure valid results, researchers must be aware of the potential
for underreporting of method use among men, particularly with respect to female sterilization.
Keywords
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Article info
Publication history
Published online: November 04, 2016
Accepted:
October 27,
2016
Received in revised form:
October 25,
2016
Received:
March 14,
2016
Footnotes
☆Conflicts of Interest: None.
Identification
Copyright
© 2016 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
