Social Disparities in the Receipt of Contraceptive Services Among Sexually Experienced Adolescent Females

Abstract

Social disparities in the receipt of contraceptive services were assessed among a sample of 2,031 sexually experienced adolescent females 15 to 18 years of age using secondary data from the National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent Health (Add Health). Findings revealed no social disparities in receipt of contraceptive services; rather, adolescent females who had a parent with less than a high school degree were more likely to receive contraceptive services. Adolescents' individual characteristics, including perceptions of maternal disapproval of sexual activity and use of contraceptives, barriers in access to and use of birth control, health needs, and enabling resources were significantly associated with their receipt of contraceptive services. Neighborhood characteristics were not significantly associated with adolescents' receipt of services in this study.