Gender, Relationship Type and Contraceptive Use at First Intercourse

Larry Gibbs, Bowling Green State University

Data from the 2006-2010 cycle of the National Survey of Family Growth was used to examine the association between gender, relationship type and contraceptive use at first intercourse among respondents aged 15-25. Logistic regression analyses predicting contraception use (n=3,085 females; n= 2,745 males), found that among males, relationship context and contraceptive use was significantly related. Males in casual relationships had lower odds of using any method of contraception compared to males in going steady relationships. Multinomial logistic regression analyses among contraceptive users (n= 2,355 females; n= 2,085) revealed that females and males in committed relationships compared to those going steady had higher odds of using hormonal methods than condom at sexual debut. Females and males in casual relationships had lower odds of using dual methods at first intercourse compared to their counterparts going steady. Relationship type matters at sexual debut. Sexual health programs need to focus on teenagers and young adults in all relationships.