Abstract
Two sets of findings that emerged from a reviewof surveys assessing young people's use of contraceptionin the U.K. are outlined. First, the paper presentsestimates of contraceptive use for this population subgroup and, second, it notes severallimitations of surveys under review. The surveys use awide range of indices in measuring these differentaspects of contraceptive (including condom) use, whichhas made accurate cross-study comparisonsdifficult; hence most findings can only be presented asbroad estimates (usually depicted within a percentagerange), rather than as precise values. Nonuse ofcontraception among young people at last intercourse is 20 to30% and nonuse of the condom lies between 40 and 50%. Inlight of this review process, the paper presents acritique of the indices used, labels the importance of using standardized and easily understoodquestions and measures, and highlights the mosteffective means of recording the potential forconception and/or sexually transmitted infection.Recommendations for those about to conduct further research inthis area are added.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Similar content being viewed by others
REFERENCES
Abrams, D., Abraham, C., Spears, R., and Marks, D. (1990). AIDS invulnerability: Relationships, sexual behaviour and attitudes among 16- 19 year olds. In Aggleton, P., Davies, P., and Hart, G. (eds.), AIDS: Individual, Cultural and Policy Dimensions, Falmer Press, London.
Bowie, C., and Ford, N. (1989). Sexual behaviour of young people and the risk of HIV infection. J. Epidemiol. Commun. Health 43: 61–65.
Coleman, L. (1997). Sexual Behaviour Surveys of Young People in the UK: A Review of the Literature, Centre for Sexual Health Research, University of Southampton.
Fife-Schaw, C., and Breakwell, G. (1992). Estimating sexual behaviour parameters in the light of AIDS: A review of recent UK studies of young people. AIDS Care 4: 187–201.
Ford, N. (1993). The sexual and contraceptive lifestyles of young people: Part II. Br. J. Fam. Plann. 18: 119–122.
Ford, N., and Morgan, K. (1989). Heterosexual lifestyles of young people in an English city. J. Popul. Soc. Stud. 1: 167–185.
Ford, N., Halliday, J., and Little, J. (1997). Changes in Drug Use and Sexual Lifestyles of Young People in Somerset, 1990- 1996, Department of Geography, University of Exeter.
Galt, M., Gillies, P., and Wilson, K. (1989). Surveying knowledge and attitudes towards AIDS in young adults—just 19. Health Ed. J. 48: 162–166.
Galt, M., and Gillies, P. (1990). A Survey of AIDS Related Knowledge, Attitudes and Behaviour in North Derbyshire, Department of Public HealthMedicine and Epidemiology, University of Nottingham.
Johnson, A. M., Wadsworth, J., Wellings, K., and Field, J. (1994). Sexual Attitudes and Lifestyles, Blackwell Scientific, Oxford, U.K.
Midland Environment Limited (MEL). (1990). Perceived Vulnerability and Behaviour Change, PublicHealth Research Unit, Midland Environment Limited, Aston Science Park, Birmingham, Report 90/04.
MORI. (1990). Young Adults Health and Lifestyle: Sexual Behaviour. Health Education Authority, Research Department, Public Health Division.
Office for National Statistics. (1998). Conceptions Monitor 1996. FM1 98/1.
PHLS Communicable Disease Surveillance Centre. (1997). Department of HealthGUMClinic Returns. KC60.
Secretary of State for Health. (1992). The Health of the Nation: A Strategy for Health in England, HMSO, London.
West, P., Wight, D., and Macintyre, S. (1993). Heterosexual behaviour of 18-year-olds in the Glasgow area. J. Adolescence 16: 367–396.
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Coleman, L. Comparing Contraceptive Use Surveys of Young People in the United Kingdom. Arch Sex Behav 28, 255–264 (1999). https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1018788310414
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1018788310414