Sexual Experience and Contraceptive Use Among Young Adults in Guatemala City

Abstract

Young adults in Guatemala were surveyed about their prior sexual experience current sexual activity contraceptive use fertility and previous exposure to formal or informal sex education courses. Socioeconomic and demographic data were collected along with information about attitudes toward sex education and contraceptive use. The results revealed that a high proportion of youth engage in premarital intercourse with the vast majority not using any means of contraception. For both sexes the reasons given for unprotected intercourse were that they did not expect to have intercourse and they did not know of a method. Over 1/3 of the males surveyed responded that they believed the responsibility for birth control belonged to their female partner. Of respondents who reported their 1st intercourse to be after marriage only 4% of women used contraception. A large number of women reported that they were uneducated about contraception. This is an important factor when 1st intercourse before age 15. Current contraceptive rates for 15-24 year olds in unions are 33% for women who use the pill and IUDs most frequently and 49% for men who said they used rhythm the pill the condom and vaginal methods. The planned parenthood affiliate in Guatemala is the chief contraceptive provider for young people in unions with pharmacies the principal source for unmarried youth of both sexes. Government clinics play a minor role in providing contraceptive services. More family planning assistance to youth emphasizing the mans role in contraception and expansion of family planning education are needed to address the increase in unprotected premarital sexual intercourse among the young people in Guatemala.