Association between receipt of school-based HIV education and contraceptive use among sexually active high school students — United States, 2011–2013

ABSTRACT

Sexual health education, including HIV prevention information, can help prevent unintended pregnancy and sexually transmitted infections. National Youth Risk Behavior Survey data from 2011 and 2013 were used to determine HIV education prevalence among 9,825 currently sexually active students in grades 9–12. Associations between HIV education and contraceptive methods used at last sexual intercourse were examined for: (1) condom use; (2) any contraceptive method; (3) dual use of a condom and either birth control pills; IUD or implant; or shot, patch, or birth control ring; and (4) primary contraceptive method. Primary contraceptive method options were (1) no method; (2) birth control pills; (3) condoms; (4) IUD or implant; (5) shot, patch, or birth control ring; (6) withdrawal or some other method; and (7) not sure. Logistic regression (prevalence ratios [PRs] and 95% confidence intervals [CIs]) and Chi-squares were used for testing. Students who received HIV education were more likely than students who did not to use a condom (PR:1.09;CI:1.01,1.18) and any contraceptive method (PR:1.08;CI:1.04,1.12); there was no significant association with dual use. Primary contraceptive method varied significantly by receipt of HIV education (p < .001). School-based HIV education may be important for promotion of adolescent condom and contraceptive use.

KEYWORDS:

• Adolescent health
• HIV
• contraceptive use
• HIV education
• school students
• USA

Disclosure statement

The findings and conclusions in this article are those of the authors and do not necessarily represent the official position of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention or the U.S. Public Health Service.

Notes

1. In the USA, students in grades 9 to 12 are typically aged 14–18 years.

2. Schools may require active or passive permission procedures. Active parental permission involves collecting a signature from a parent for each student authorising that student’s participation. A student is not allowed to take part in the survey unless signed permission indicating this approval has been received. Passive permission means that students are excluded from survey participation only when a parent returns a signed form denying permission.

3. The 2014 SHPPS health education questionnaire uses the term STD rather than STI.

Additional information

Funding

This research did not receive any specific grant from funding agencies in the public, commercial, or not-for-profit sectors.