Abstract
Objective
To assess initiation of hormonal contraception among women aged 15-19 in the US and
Norway by birth cohort.
Study design
We used population-based survey (US) and administrative (Norway) data to estimate
the cumulative probability of age at first use of hormonal contraception for female
residents born between 1989 and 1997 in 3-year birth cohorts. Differences between
countries were assessed using confidence intervals, and differences between birth
cohorts were assessed using survival analysis.
Results
At age 15, first use of any hormonal method was higher among US respondents (16%-17%
US vs 10%-13% Norway), whereas for ages 16 to 19 use was higher among Norwegian women
(by age 19, 60%-64% US vs 76%-78% Norway). Similar patterns were observed for pill
use; however, depot medroxy-progesterone acetate (DMPA), implant, and intrauterine
device (IUD) use tended to be higher among US women. In both countries, cumulative
first use of the pill, patch, ring, and DMPA declined across birth cohorts while first
use of implants and IUDs increased.
Conclusion
Age at initiation and type of first hormonal method use differed between US and Norwegian
teenagers. These differences may contribute to the lower teen birth rate in Norway.
Implications
Age at initiation of hormonal contraception among teenagers is earlier in Norway than
in the United States, and types of hormonal methods used vary. These differences may
contribute to the lower teen birth rate in Norway.
Keywords
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Article info
Publication history
Published online: July 27, 2021
Accepted:
July 17,
2021
Received in revised form:
July 16,
2021
Received:
April 2,
2021
Identification
Copyright
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