Abstract
Background
The aim of this survey was to examine sexual behavior, use of contraception, and communication regarding these issues between mothers and their teenage daughters.
Methods
This descriptive cohort study included 314 pairs of women aged 15–24 years and their mothers, from an urban area in Israel. The participants completed questionnaires about sexual history and contraceptive usage. The main outcome measures were differences in sexual behavior and use of contraception between the two generations.
Results
Seventy-six percent of the daughters used effective contraception during their first intercourse versus only 29% of their mothers. Of the daughters, 48% had consulted their mothers regarding sexual relationships and use of contraception before beginning to use contraception. The vast majority of the mothers (96%) acknowledged that it was important to discuss these issues with their teenage daughters, but only 66% of them had actually spoken to their daughters about the subject. Daughters who did not discuss contraceptive matters with their mothers tended to be younger at the time of first sexual intercourse, to use the pill less often and the condom more often, and to have a slightly higher rate of elective abortions.
Conclusion
This study contributes to our understanding of mother and daughter attitudes regarding contraception, intergenerational differences in this regard, and the importance of mother-daughter communication.
Disclosure
This study was partially funded by an unrestricted research grant from the Israeli subsidiary of Bayer-Schering AG, Berlin, Germany. The study was presented in part at the annual meeting of the European Society of Contraception and Reproductive Health Care, Hague, The Netherlands, May 19–22, 2010.