Differences between Women who Begin Pill Use before and After First Intercourse: Ontario, Canada

Abstract

2 groups were selected from a larger study of family planning clients in Ontario in 1976. 1 consisted of 48 women who had not yet had intercourse but had come to a clinic to obtain a precription for oral contraception. The 2nd comprised 183 women who were already sexually experienced and were seeking a prescription. The women were aged between 13 and 20 similar in age with most in both groups attending school and living at home. The data suggest that the women in the 1st group differ from their peers. They are older when they have 1st intercourse and have higher educational aspirations. They appear to have better communication with their mothers about contraception and feel freer in talking to friends and partners about birth control before engaging in intercourse. They seem to be less embarrassed at the prospect of going to a clinic for family planning services and to have somewhat better knowledge than other young women of the fact that contraception is available to them.